Vancouver Startup Seleste Unveils AI Glasses for the Visually Impaired

A startup based in Vancouver has developed a wearable device targeting the accessibility industry.

Seleste is working on thin and affordable smart glasses that closely resemble conventional frames and lenses, but use artificial intelligence amongst other technology to empower the blind.

“Our mission is to give visually impaired people affordable access to technology that can give them back their freedom and independence,” the BC company states. “Using cutting-edge A.I and video-calling features, our thin smart glasses have been designed and tested to meet your needs.”

Features include Call a Friend, which grants someone remote the ability to see through the glass camera what the blind person is looking at. Without a person on hand, AI can still navigate the world with scene description, as well as identify objects with recognition functionality, and also read out text—from small newsprint to giant billboards.

“It’s common for individuals suffering from vision loss to Facetime others for help with seemingly mundane tasks such as reading a menu, picking clothes, or getting around the city,” explains a researcher for Seleste. “However, it is difficult to point your phone when you can’t see what you’re looking at,” and near impossible for users to perform other tasks if they have to hold onto a cane or guide dog as well.

Seleste notes there are more than 200 million visually impaired people worldwide.

“We truly believe smart glasses are the future of personal computing and want to use technology to make a positive impact and help an often overlooked group of people,” the startup states. “We’re pushing the boundaries of wearable technology while helping change lives.”

The Glasses are equipped with a mic, auto-focus camera, and bone conduction headphones for audio experience while maintaining privacy without blocking ears so users can remain aware of surroundings. The $1,000 glasses include use of the Seleste app and are expected to ship within the first half of next year.

To continue advancing the intelligence behind its product, the Canadian company is seeking volunteers to help individuals with vision loss through the video calling feature on the Seleste app. Those interested can sign up online for up to five calls per month in which blind and low-vision users may ask for help identifying the colour of a shirt, navigating unfamiliar surroundings, and other daily tasks.