Technology is allowing us to do some pretty amazing things these days. We’ve got GPS for the blind which is helpful surely, but this new technology could actually a real breakthrough for the blind. Very recently a British soldier who was blinded in Iraq was the very first participant for the Ministry of Defense’s (MoD) new technology called BrainPort. It’s been designed for the active individuals without sight. The system is designed to convert visual signals into electrical pulses which are sent to the tongue. The intensity of the signals allows the user to figures out obstacles etc. in their path. The system consists of small video camera attached to a set of sunglasses and tube like wire that goes into your mouth. It looks a bit like those tubes that train down from those beer hats you wear to a football game. The tip of the tube or 'lolly pop' has the sensors that transmit the signals to the tongue.

The BrainPort system was actually created in the U.S. The soldier still intends to retain the aid of his trust companion and seeing-eye dog Hugo but does admit that the technology is definitely one that will be very handy for others to use. The prototype may be good but there’s always room for improvement and designers have already begun to add a few. The MoD said it expected to pay the U.S. around £18,000 for the device and training to enable the trial to take place.

[Dailymail]