Be My Eyes
Be My Eyes is an innovative app designed to empower the visually impaired
Pricing Model:
Free
Average Rating:
Overview
Be My Eyes is an innovative app designed to empower the visually impaired by connecting them with sighted volunteers or AI tools for assistance. Through simple video calls or photo-sharing, users can ask volunteers or AI to describe their surroundings and receive real-time, detailed responses, helping them with daily tasks. Recently, Be My Eyes has integrated OpenAI’s GPT-4 model to further enhance its capabilities, offering users more privacy and independence.
Launch Date: 2015 (with AI integration currently in beta testing)
Category: Assistive Technology
Target Users: Visually Impaired and Low-Vision Individuals
Key Features
- Human Volunteers: Connects users to sighted individuals who provide real-time visual assistance via video calls.
- AI Virtual Assistant: An AI-powered solution that responds instantly to questions based on photos, describing objects, surroundings, or text in a private and efficient manner.
- Voice-First Interface: Allows users to communicate naturally with AI, receiving detailed visual descriptions that create mental images of their surroundings.
- Free for Users: Available at no cost for the visually impaired, maintaining inclusivity for all.
Use Cases
The app helps users complete a variety of tasks such as:
- Identifying Objects: Users can snap a photo and ask the AI what’s in front of them, like what’s in the refrigerator or what clothes they should wear.
- Describing Surroundings: For example, when standing by Tower Bridge in London, users can ask for details on the landmark’s status and appearance.
- Reading Text: From deciphering menus to reading labels on products, the AI or human volunteers assist in providing accurate information.
- Enhanced Privacy: The AI version allows users to maintain independence when they may prefer not to rely on a human volunteer for more personal tasks.
User Experience
Testimonial: Andy Lane, a blind user of the AI feature, describes how the technology has impacted his life:
“I’m using OpenAI’s newest model to imagine the world through a conversation with an AI. It’s like having a driverless car—it’s new and exciting but soon feels natural. I can ask what’s in front of me and instantly receive a detailed description. For the first time, I can visualize my surroundings in real time, like the Tower Bridge or Big Ben in London, through someone else’s eyes.”
Similarly, Brian Fishler, a comedian and Be My Eyes user, shares:
“It’s incredibly empowering. Now, I can ask the AI about items in my refrigerator or find building numbers without needing human volunteers. It’s brought back a bit of my independence.”
Why AI in Be My Eyes?
The integration of AI into Be My Eyes comes with several benefits:
- Increased Independence: Users can now perform more tasks without relying on volunteers for help.
- Privacy and Dignity: Certain tasks that users may feel uncomfortable sharing with a human (e.g., navigating personal spaces like messy rooms) can be handled privately through AI.
- 24/7 Availability: The AI tool is always ready, allowing users to get help whenever they need it without waiting for a volunteer.
👍 Pros
- Provides real-time, accurate descriptions through AI and human volunteers.
- Increases independence and confidence in daily activities.
- Free to use for visually impaired individuals.
- Combines AI’s immediacy with human empathy and adaptability.
👎 Cons
- AI, while highly advanced, might not yet be able to interpret nuanced visual details as accurately as humans in some cases.
- Limited to users with smartphones and stable internet connections.
user reviews
Be My Eyes is a valuable tool for people with visual impairments, but the app's functionality and user experience need improvement. If the developers address the technical issues, add more features, and make the app more accessible, it could truly be a game-changer.
Pricing
FREE to use only need internet connection.
Conclusion
Be My Eyes has taken a revolutionary step by incorporating AI technology into its already successful platform. With this new tool, blind and visually impaired users can experience unprecedented autonomy, privacy, and convenience. Whether you’re seeking to complete everyday tasks or explore iconic locations, Be My Eyes is designed to make the world more accessible to everyone, no matter their level of sight.
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Average ratings from Capterra & G2