A breakthrough in assistive technology is transforming how visually impaired people experience the world. Seeker AI, a startup based in Hong Kong, has developed a wearable device that uses generative AI to help blind individuals navigate their surroundings independently.
Chongqi Ming, a 40-year-old man who has been completely blind since birth, can now explore and shop in his city alone for the first time thanks to the device. The small wearable uses AI to detect his surroundings and translate visual information into audible descriptions.
'I'm completely blind. Totally blind since birth,' Ming said in an interview with CNN. 'Through the AI technology, I can understand the world.'
The device stands apart from other assistive technologies because it was designed specifically for visually impaired users rather than being adapted from tools built for sighted people. Lamia Sura Ramen, who co-developed the Seeker AI device, explained that standard chatbots were built for sighted individuals, but visually impaired people need an additional layer of information.
'We've built our own database of information that any visually impaired person can tap into and navigate,' Ramen said.
By pressing a single button, users can get detailed information including expiry dates, nutritional values, and prices - all translated in up to 12 different languages. This level of detail on everyday life is what sets Seeker AI apart from other assistive technologies on the market.
The development came from Ramen's experience volunteering during COVID, where she noticed that elderly and visually impaired people weren't using existing assistive technologies available to them.
The technology represents a significant step forward in accessibility, giving visually impaired people greater independence in daily tasks that most people take for granted. Ming noted that when family members or friends aren't available, such technology provides crucial support for independent living.
