IIT Delhi builds visually impaired-friendly device – ‘DotBook’

NEW DELHI: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi researchers have developed ‘DotBook’ that has a refreshable Braille display aiming at creating independent access to digital content for the visually impaired, on February 27, 2019.

‘DotBook’, will enable visually impaired people to compete and succeed independently in an office or educational environment. The device comes packed with all the applications and features that a visually impaired user would need to independently carry out their tasks with ease. IIT said, “The features include email, calculator, web browser and comes with a QWERTY keyboard.”

As per IIT Delhi, the device will help address issues such as social inclusion and creating equal opportunities in education and employment.

“DotBook is an excellent example of user-oriented applied research. It is not only inter-disciplinary in nature as it brings together advanced techniques in mechanical, low-power electronics, software and UI design together, is also a result of sustained efforts over the four years of a multi-organisational team comprising academics, two industry partners and a user organization,” said M Balakrishnan, Professor at IIT-Delhi who led the project. The device will be manufactured, maintained and marketed by a Noida-based company while its key component, that is the 10-cell refreshable Braille modules, will be manufactured, maintained and marketed by a Chennai based in company.