A pair of "smart glasses" could help registered blind and partially sighted people navigate public places by translating signs into audible speech. A Royal Society Brian Mercer Award for Innovation was awarded to Dr Stephen Hicks of the University of Oxford for the development of glasses that will improve the independence of thousands of people. The vast majority of the registered blind people have some remaining sight, often limited to the perception of light and motion. Until now assistive technologies have been limited to guide dogs, canes and other relatively simple devices...

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