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2016 reality
— Over 285 million people in the world are visually impaired, of
whom 39 million are blind and 246 million have moderate to
severe visual impairment (WHO, 2015).
— It is predicted that without extra interventions, these numbers
will rise to 75 million blind and 200 million visually impaired by
the year 2020.
— 31% of total visually impaired are under 18 years old, 17% are 65+
— 90% of visually impaired live in developing countries.
Main devices for visually impaired
Braille display Braille communicatorReplaces laptop input/output
Price: from $1000 + laptopReplaces laptop/smartphone
Price: from $4000
Novelty devices appear each year, but text input/output and PC/laptop simulation is the most priceless experience for visually impaired.
Are these devices affordable?
Commercial purchasing
Sponsored by social funds
Cannot afford
— Less than 20% of visually impaired people own
communicators/displays, provided by social funds or
relatives/friends;
— Developing countries can’t afford expensive braille displays for
everyone.
— We should target mass-market, where visually impaired or their
relatives can buy the device themselves.
The market is here too
OpenBraille vision
We’ve created and developed products under $200 with same features.
The devices will be open-source/open-hardware, so anyone in the world will be able to modify/improve them.
OpenBraille display OpenBraille glove
OpenBraille display ver.0.2
— Braille-Perkins data input/output
— Mechanical 3d-printed Braille cells
— No expensive piezoceramics
— Open-source and open-hardware
— Net price $100
— Works with any android smartphone
— Firmware for popular apps and software
Demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v73neeVZGB0
OpenBraille glove ver.0.3
— Simple data input and output
— Users don’t need to use Braille input/output
— Input speed similar to Braille display
— Open-source and open-hardware
— Net price $50-80
— Works with any android smartphone
— Firmware for popular apps and software
Glove: Usage
+
— The glove works as Bluetooth device for smartphone.
— We use special firmware, that allows visually impaired person feel
comfortable in messaging, web browsing and daily communications.
— The firmware has API for independent developers, this helps in
creating new apps for users.
— The glove has common code for input, that can be learned in 10
minutes.
— The glove prototype was tested with positive feedback in Russia,
USA and China
OpenBraille: Economics
— With total 180M visually impaired people, OpenBraille
targets 90% of the market with focus on developing
countries.
— The retail price for braille glove and display is $150-200.
— OpenBraille will charge service payments for software
and instant support (~$50 year).
— Openbraille will collaborate with p2p giving communities
to provide special offers for poor.
OpenBraille: Roadmap
— Creating 1.0 version for Glove and Display with industrial
quality.
— Crowdfunding to promote the concepts and gather
funding.
— Partnerships to provide OpenBraille products in
developing countries.
— Creating micro fluid refreshable Braille display and
supporting RnD for low-cost tech solution
Contact: Alex [email protected]
Join us in 2016 to revolutionize the industry!
We are looking for:
— Volunteers (developers, designers, community partners) to
help OpenBraille development;
— Direct funding to hire qualified engineers and support
creating and manufacturing OpenBraille products;
OpenBraille is self-funded at the moment and run by volunteers
