Page 132 - KZN Top Busines Portfolio 2020/21

VOICE VISION AFRICA

Musa Makhunga
voicevision.co.za

SEEING WITH SOUND Peter Meijer, a former staff member of the Philips
Corporation research department. He developed
vOICe vision Africa (Pty) Ltd launched a revolutionary an algorithm of the sensory substitution of vision
audio vision solution for the blind in Umhlanga, South through sound. The device gives a sound image with
Africa in January 2020. up to several thousand pixels resolution, without
The device called vOICe vision, which comprises dependence on the eye ailment’s condition and
goggles and an installed camera and bone conduction without any need for surgery.
earphones is able to make a significant difference to The blind person can perceive space and objects
a blind person’s way of life. With the help of a vOICe through the sound signal received by the device as a
vision device any blind person can learn to perceive result of encoding images from the camera. An app
space through sound, move around without assistance, transforms the image into sound, which is perceived
and be socially active and independent. by the brain identically to the monochrome picture.
vOICe vision Africa, Managing Director Musa The device can also vocalise text on signs and numbers
Makhunga, explains, “vOICe vision is where blind of buildings, automatically or by manual control. It has
people are able to see with sound.” features to identify and announce: objects’ colours,
barcodes, and is able to name common objects in front
The device was developed by Dutch engineer of the camera.
According to the users’ reports the sounds of the
device do not interrupt listening to sounds in the
environment. You can control the volume of the
device, and due to the bone-conduction earphones as
ear canals are not blocked and natural echolocation
continues taking place.
Training
vOICe vision Africa offers training to blind people on
the seeing with sound technique. Through training
of an hour, three times a week, and practicing in
between, it will take about three months for one to be
competent and proficient with the technique.
In order to use the device efficiently, three training
options are offered.
1. vOICe vision goggles and online course with a
trainer
An online basic course “vOICe sound vision” which
consists of two stages:
‚ Development of perception through interaction
with objects
‚ Development of orientation skills for inside and
outside buildings.
Mathula Dlamini
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