What Augmented Reality Can Accomplish

We are here! What used to be the stuff of sci-fi films and imagination seems to have become reality. Well, augmented reality actually.

Augmented reality is an interaction between the physical and virtual world. What used to be just a brochure, a card game, a business card, has become a source for hi-tech interaction. And what was once a video game, a television show, or a car commercial, has transformed taken on personal, physical involvement from the viewer or participant. I know, this may sound like a bunch of babbling for now and I apologize for not being too keen on the technical elements of it all, but here are some links to explain exactly how it works and some videos to demonstrate its utility in marketing, video gaming, and now assisting people who are blind or visually impaired.

Now a company named LookTel has come up with an application for smartphones that allows users to train their phones to recognize just about anything. From money and medication labels, all the way to a bus stop, a land mark, or a specific street corner, LookTel is able to recognize these items and read them aloud using text to speech technology. It also enables the user to connect to others whenever they need assistance. With live video stream and a GPS location, displaying where the user of LookTel is located, an assisting party can see exactly where the person is, see what their surroundings are, and help them find where they are going. For more, visit LookTel.

Press Release: Back for a Third Round, The Chicago Lighthouse Will Be At The Friendship Village in Schaumburg, on Thursday, May 27, To Host A Low Vision Products Show

Tools For Living, Chicago Lighthouse’s retail store specifically designed for consumers who are blind or visually impaired, is bringing their inventory of adaptive technology, independent living items, home appliances, and much more to the Northwest suburbs.

CHICAGO, IL – On Thursday, May 27th, representatives from The Chicago Lighthouse will be at the Friendship Village, 350 West Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, IL 60914, to provide the opportunity, for people with low vision and their loved ones, to try out the latest products designed to improve efficiency, ease, and quality of performing daily tasks such as reading, writing, cooking, and even shaving.

This is the third “Low Vision Products Show” that the Lighthouse is hosting at the Friendship Village with previous shows in March and April. Both shows in the past have drawn in a large attendance, displaying a need for such products in the area and a desire of consumers to test the products and receive expert advice.

“The first time, we had a lot of people coming in to check out our items. We were expecting a lower number the second time, but, to our surprise, we had the same, if not more people coming in,” said Tom Perski, director of rehabilitation services for the Lighthouse. “Obviously, people are interested; they want to see how these items can improve and empower their independence and day-to-day life,” added Perski.

Located in Illinois Medical District, on the near west side of downtown Chicago, Tools for Living has recently undergone a rebranding to coincide with the opening of its unique 1,200 foot facility which is designed specifically to improve the shopping experience of people who are blind or visually impaired.

The “Low Vision Products Show” is a program of Tools for Living in an effort to provide their products and expertise to areas where such service are unavailable. All products presented at the shows are available for purchase. Larger items and technology will be delivered to the customer’s home by a Lighthouse representative with training and installation provided free of charge.