Disabled Living

LookTel Is Helping Disabled People Through Their Smartphones

Posted on by Jerry in Disability Aids, Disability Products, Disabled Living, Mobility Equipment

In conjunction with LinkMe Mobile, Ipplex brings together real-time object recognition technology with optical character recognition capabilities. Looktel is an application that helps people with visual disabilities recognize objects around them. The application uses the built in camera in mobile phones to help people living with disabilities to identify whatever it is they want by simply pointing the camera at the object. The device will then pronounce the object’s name quickly and clearly in easy to understand speech. The list of objects that LookTel can assist a disabled person in identifying ranges from money, packaged goods, CDs and medication bottles and even buildings. The application can be updated to recognize even more items that the visually impaired need by attaching preprinted image tags to them and recording an audible description.  LookTel can recognize landmarks and signs for personal navigation to assist the disabled even further. The software also connects to GPS via Google Maps. Features like these help those living with a disability gain more independence in their daily life.

LookTel lets the disabled person connect with a trusted friend or colleague to lend further assistance. This feature lets the user speak with a guide through either audio or audio-visual via video calls directly from the phone. The features come into play depending on the level of disability. Data sent from the phone to friends and family help them to assist their disabled loved one with identifying landmarks.