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Microsoft launches free app that uses AI to help visually impaired

Posted at 8:36 AM, Jul 13, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-13 14:07:06-04

It's a new app from Microsoft aimed at helping the visually impaired community. 

According to tech giant, Seeing AI is all about turning the world into an audible experience for people with low vision problems or blindness.

Microsoft notes on its website that the app uses artificial intelligence and cloud technology to narrate everyday happenings.

There are a number of different channels a user can toggle through, enabling the app to describe text, objects, people and scenery.

The company says that the app can, for example, scan barcodes for product identification, read back short text or full documents, and identify friends — even going as far as describing their facial expression and approximate age.

Seeing AI also reportedly helps guide the user when they’re trying to aim their camera in the right direction.

The app is free and available for iOS devices.

More details can be found here.