- Title: RUSSIA: RADAR EYEGLASSES CREATE VIRTUAL SIGHT FOR THE BLIND.
- Date: 5th July 2000
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (JULY 04, 2000)(REUTERS) 1. GV: DIMA TITOV, BLIND MUSICIAN, WEARING RADAR GLASSES AND WALKING DOWN HALL, THROUGH DOORWAY 0.14 2. MV/CU: DIMA SITTING/ DOCTOR ON COMPUTER/ GLASSES (3 SHOTS) 0.28 3. CU/MV: DOCTOR PLACING LIGHT SCANNER ON DIMA'S EYES (2 SHOTS) 0.40 4. CU: SCANNER RESULTS PRINTING OUT ON COMPUTER (2 SHOTS) 0.45 5. CU: LIGHT FLASHING INTO DIMA'S EYES 0.52 6. GV/MV/CU: DOCTOR SCANNING DIMA'S EYES WITH COMPUTER DEVICE (6 SHOTS) 1.36 7. MCU: (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) DIMA TITOV, BLIND MUSICIAN: "Even with these glasses, I will need help. They will show obstacles, but they won't show things such as steps." [Question off-camera: "And do these glasses reduce your need for assistance?"] "To a certain degree, yes." 2.02 8. MV: WORKERS ASSEMBLING RADAR EYEGLASSES AT "REABILITAZIA" RESEARCH AND PRODUCTION CENTRE 2.09 9. CU/MCU: EYEGLASSES (3 SHOTS) 2.23 10. MV: TATYANA VOROBYOVA, SENIOR RESEARCH DIRECTOR, "REABILITAZIA" RESEARCH AND PRODUCTION CENTRE 2.29 11. MV/CU: VOROBYOVA'S OFFICE (2 SHOTS) 2.36 12. CU:,(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) TATYANA VOROBYOVA, SENIOR RESEARCH DIRECTOR, "REABILITAZIA" RESEARCH AND PRODUCTION CENTRE SAYING: "This invention uses special technology and makes previous scientific-technical apparatus that were used in Russia irrelevant. This is a definite step in doing something useful for people, especially the youth and those who have been of great service to others and to their country." 3.07 13. GV/MV: TITOV BEGINS CROSSING STREET, AUDIO OF EYEGLASSES GIVING DANGER SIGNAL, TITOV STOPS SUDDENLY AS CARS SPEED PAST HIM (2 SHOTS) 3.26 14. CU: "DANGER--CROSSING FOR THE BLIND" ROAD SIGNAL 3.31 15. MV/GV/PAN: TITOV GETS ON TRAM CAR, TRAM CAR DRIVES AWAY (2 SHOTS) 3.44 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 20th July 2000 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Reuters ID: LVAT0DGK32Z56N5J99KG5XO6QAT
- Story Text: A few years ago, it would have been the stuff of
science fiction fantasy. But now, a Moscow research factory
has developed radar eyeglasses which create virtual eyesight
for the blind.
Dima Titov is trying out a new pair of glasses which
may help change his life.
Dima is completely blind, and these glasses give him the
chance to walk freely through unknown spaces unaided and
without any major collisions.
Scientists at the "Reabilitatzia" research centre have
developed these glasses and can adapt them for each
individual.
For the partially blind, the glass lenses show the wearer
rough outline infrared images of the surrounding objects. In
effect, it enables the blind to see.
Other glasses can be programmed to detect light signals and
infrared "beacons." This allows blind eyeglass wearer to
attach a beacon signal to an object such as a house, or even
another person, and receive a "beep" signal from that object
when they pass by it. In effect, this is a mobile lighthouse
which the blind can set up practically anywhere they wish.
In Dima's case, the doctors have confirmed that he is
completely blind and have thus outfitted him with radar
eyeglasses.
These eyeglasses send of radar signals in a radius of 4
metres around them and give off a loud "beep" if an object
obstructs the viewer's path.
Dima, a symphony musician, says that the glasses do not
warn him of all obstacles, such as steps, but that they do
enable him to move more freely and be more independent.
The "Reabilitatzia" centre is also hoping that the
eyeglasses will open up a new life for them as well.
Like many industries, "Reabilitatzia" was a
military-orientated production facility during the Soviet
years and has had a difficult time keeping afloat in the
post-Soviet market where state orders have virtually ceased to
exist.
The company's leadership is hoping to market the eyeglasses
to blind people across the world at a price of $600.
"Reabilitatzia" General Director Tatyana Vorobyova says
that the invention makes all previous technologies that were
used by the blind in Russia irrelevant.
For Dima Titov, the glasses have made a difference. Dima
was able to walk through Moscow' notoriously dangerous streets
with the glasses which warned him of speeding cars that didn't
stop at a pedestrian crossing. And the glasses beeped a path
into the doors of the tram car that he took home.
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