BrailleTouch, Typing Application Without Looking

Researchers from Georgia Tech are developing a prototype to create an application that can be used to type text without looking at the phone screen. Applications open source named Braille Touch was prepared for touch screen smart phone users worldwide.

Initial studies of this application practiced by visually impaired users who are used to typing Braille letters. In testing, the user can write 32 words per minute with an accuracy of 92 percent, to prototype BrailleTouch on iPhone. “We’re designing a formal study to evaluate BrailleTouch through qualitative and quantitative methods,” said Caleb Southern, a graduate student who co-designed the BraileTouch.

When used, BrailleTouch issued in accordance with the letter sound that comes out on the screen. So, despite not see the phone screen, users will not be a typo. This application was developed for users with limited eyesight to the blind. However, users can utilize a full sighted.

The team behind BrailleTouch is Caleb Southern, Mario Romero, Brian Frey, James Clawson and Dr. Gregory Abowd. This application has won the design competition in MobileHCI Mobile HCI 2011 Conference in Stockholm, Sweden.

Touch Braille has been introduced at the Abilities Expo-Atlanta in 2012, at 17 to February 19, 2012. The event was held at the Georgia World Congress Center. A similar concept has also been developed by others. Including applications for the tablet named Touchscreen Braille Writer Stanford students developed.

There is also a paid application TypeInBraille of EveryWare Technologies, was sold for 4.99 U.S. dollars to iTunes.

(Source via Georgia Tech)