Teens Develop Smart Glasses for the Visually Impaired
Reading is something many people take for granted, but for people with visual impairments, it can be a daily challenge. Three teenagers in California decided to change that reality by developing smart glasses that read text aloud in real time.
Fifteen-year-olds Akhil Nagori, Evann Sun, and Lucas Shengwen Yen created an AI-powered wearable device that uses a small camera to capture written text. Artificial intelligence software then recognizes the letters and converts them into spoken words, which are played through tiny speakers attached to the glasses. Despite being a prototype, the device achieved more than 90% accuracy, with the delay from image capture to sound output averaging at around 13 seconds.
The idea was sparked by a visit Nagori made to his family in India. As he watched his visually impaired great-uncle carefully read Braille receipts while working as a cashier, Nagori wondered if technology could offer a simpler solution. He shared the idea with his teammates, and the group set out to design an affordable and practical device. The students spent about five months researching, coding, and testing the system, often working late into the night.
One of the most impressive features of the invention is its low cost. The entire pair of smart glasses was built for less than $100, far below the billions that major technology companies have invested in AI wearables.
The project earned national recognition at the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, where the team won $10,000 in prize money. More importantly, it shows how empathy and innovation can help make the world more accessible.
Blair For The Junior Times junior/1769650606/1613367844
1. Who developed smart glasses to help people with visual impairments?
2. What inspired Nagori to create this new and affordable device?
3. How long did the students spend researching and testing their system?
4. Where did the project earn national recognition for its innovation?
1. How can technology make the world more accessible for people?
2. What other smart devices could help people in daily lives?
3. Why is it important to have empathy when designing products?
4. Would you like to build a new invention with friends?
Reading is something many people take for granted, but for people with visual impairments, it can be a daily challenge. Three teenagers in California decided to change that reality by developing smart glasses that read text aloud in real time.
