3D Printed Glasses to Help the Visually Impaired See

3D Printed Glasses

Yet another project which will drastically improve the quality of people’s lives using smart glasses for the visually impaired. This time we worked alongside Oxford University’s Dr. Stephen Hicks to help get this brief off the ground.

Overview

We met up with Dr. Stephen Hicks of Oxford University back in 2011 for a project with immense potential… a project to help the partially sighted to see again via augmented reality using 3D Printed Glasses or smart glasses. The design is not to give sight back, rather to take advantage of what sight the user has.

Product Details

CAD Design: Luma ID
Material: SLS PA2200
Polishing: No
Dyeing: On selected prototypes
Finishing: None
Project Cost: Ongoing

Dr. Hicks Product was also featured on the BBC News as a innovate revolution in the visually impaired community.

Video Demo

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Case Study Highlights

For many people who are visually impaired, navigating busy environments like high streets or public transport hubs can be overwhelming and even dangerous. But Dr. Stephen Hicks of Oxford University invented a version of smart glasses that are opening up new possibilities, particularly when combined with 3D printing innovation.

How 3D Printed Glasses Work to Help the Visually Impaired

3D printed glasses work by integrating advanced depth-sensing and motion-detecting technology into a lightweight frame. Cameras and sensors pick up the objects in the room. They then display the objects on a transparent OLED screen converting the visual input into a simplified, high-contrast version of the real world. Objects closer to the user are shown in brighter tones, while those further away are dimmed. This contrast-based display helps the visually impaired user gain depth perception, improving their ability to judge distances and spatial relationships

Ultimately, the 3D printed glasses we helped Dr. Stephen Hicks to create, provided a revolutionary way for the visually impaired to interact with the world around them. With enhanced spatial awareness, users can walk down a crowded street, avoid obstacles, and recognise their surroundings with greater confidence and independence.