The OrCam Read is one of the exciting visual aids we have available for demonstrations at Bradbury Lodge. The OrCam Read is a small device that uses a smart camera and sophisticated AI technology to instantly read text from a printed surface or screen.
The device is designed for people with visual impairment, reading fatigue, reading difficulties including dyslexia, and anyone who consumes large amounts of text. This highly sophisticated tool is first and foremost designed to be simple to use – just point the device towards the text and press a button.
A Versatile Tool Fit for any Occasion
Among the most appealing aspects of the device is its versatility. It will read printed or digital text from books, newspapers, smartphone screens, computers, and many more. The device functions by using laser targeting and its 13-megapixel sensor to capture text and read it back instantly.
The OrCam is wireless and does not need internet to function, making it the perfect item to have wherever you go, and its bright LED light makes it easy to use in dimly lit environments.
You can listen to the audio playback through the device’s mini speaker, use wired headphones, or utilise the device’s Bluetooth feature.
The OrCam aims to be as user-friendly as possible while also being customisable. All you have to do is point the device at the text, and use the four large, tactile buttons to customise the settings.
Unlike other devices where you must scan line-by-line, OrCam Read can capture full pages and screens at once. It can also use a laser guidance system to capture a specific text block or choose where to begin reading.
You can also customise the speed of the audio. Slow it down for a more relaxed, slow-paced reading experience, or speed it up if you are more interested in skimming the text.
Smart Reading
The biggest draw of the OrCam Read is its Smart Reading feature. Most reading devices recognise the text and immediately start to read from the beginning to the end. This, however, can often lead to a very frustrating reading experience. With many conventional reading devices, if the user is only interested in listening to a specific portion they would have to waste their time and listen to everything. When a user misses a part, rewinding would be nearly impossible, they would then have to listen to all the text that they already heard.
The Smart Reading feature works by analysing the titles, subtitles, and paragraphs of a text. Through vocal commands, you can first listen to the titles on the page, then you can choose which article you want to hear more about. You also do not need to wait for the audio to reach the section you are interested in. By mentioning a keyword, the Smart Reading feature starts to vocalise from the exact word.
The Smart Reading function provides a more organic reading experience. You can skim though sentences, find relevant sections of a text through a keyword search, and even find items such as phone numbers and dates.
About OrCam
OrCam was jointly founded in 2010 by Professor Amnon Shashua and Mr. Ziv Aviram. They are also the co-founders of Mobileye, a company that specialises in a collision avoidance system and autonomous driving. Since 2010, OrCam has been developing accessible AI-driven platforms that provide increased independence to people who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, and those who face reading challenges.
Before you consider investing in the OrCam Read, we would love to demonstrate it for you. Come in to Bradbury Lodge to try it out, see if you like it, and get a feel for how it might make a difference for you.
Contact us at info@MyVision.org.uk or 01865 725595
If you would like to know about how you can buy the OrCam Read, follow the link OrCam Read – Developed for Dyslexic and Reading Difficulties
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