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What if you could see with your tongue? Several Lighthouse International clients are doing just that to navigate their world with greater confidence, be more secure in daily life activities, and even read.
Using BrainPort, a breakthrough by Wicab, Inc., subjects wear sunglasses with a small camera wired to a small flat mouthpiece that sends electrical pulses to the wearer's tongue. Feeling like carbonated bubbles, the pulses transmit the shape of the object seen by the camera, allowing the user to "see" what is before him or her. A hand-held control boosts the intensity of the pulses from mild to stronger, zooms in or out, and increases the contrast of objects making them easier to sense.
Dr. William Seiple, Vice President for Research and Director of the Arlene R. Gordon Research Institute at Lighthouse International, is one of three leading researchers testing BrainPort nationally. "Testing ground-breaking technology to improve the quality of life of sight-impaired people is the core of our mission," Dr. Seiple says. Early findings are highly encouraging. While not yet FDA approved, this device holds significant promise. Read more about BrainPort. »
Coverage of BrainPort from CNN, Scientific American, and more. »
BrainPort has been featured in a number of high-profile publications, from Scientific American to CNN. You can read each of those pieces here. Interested in covering the BrainPort project? Visit our News Room to find out how to get in touch with the Lighthouse International press team.
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