AI devices—smart glasses, apps, and wearables—are increasing independence and safety for visually impaired people by delivering real-time scene understanding, text reading, and guided navigation.

Apps like Microsoft Seeing AI and Be My Eyes provide real-time guidance for daily tasks, object and location identification, and navigation, making everyday activities more accessible.

Public transportation is becoming more navigable for visually impaired riders through systems like OnBoard in Bengaluru, which offers audio route updates and driver alerts.

Mobility and safety are enhanced by smart canes, navigation apps, and wearables that deliver haptic or audio alerts about obstacles and intersections.

Smart glasses such as Envision’s Ally Solos read text, recognize faces, and describe surroundings, often linked to a smartphone, while Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses pair with Be My Eyes to offer guided assistance via volunteer video calls.

Beyond mobility, AI tools support social interactions, education, and employment by describing people, reading textbooks aloud, and assisting with office tasks, boosting confidence and reducing dependence.

Wearable AI devices such as the NOA vest from biped.ai detect obstacles, provide directions, and explain scenes indoors and outdoors, increasing movement confidence.

AI-driven learning tools convert textbooks to audio and offer Braille practice and feedback through audio or vibrations, enabling more independent study for visually impaired students.