OrCam Unveils Enhancements for MyEye and Read3 Devices at CES

OrCam Technologies, which is focused on personal artificial intelligence (AI) assistive technology platforms, introduced new enhancements for its MyEye and Read3 devices at CES 2024, the Consumer Electronics Show held by the Consumer Technology Association on January 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

OrCam’s augmented AI now enhances its MyEye device, offering support for users with visual impairments.

According to the company, this assistive technology broadens the device’s capabilities, from immediate text reading, facial recognition, and product identification to dynamic interactions similar to natural conversations. Whether by voice, gesture, or tap on the device, users can now seamlessly inquire about their surroundings.

OrCam’s AI companion is tuned to the individual user, allowing for precise, on-demand responses that cater to the wearer’s unique inquiries.

It tailors its feedback to individual preferences and interests, thus personalizing the user experience and supporting greater user autonomy. For example, by tapping the device, the user will get a general summary of a scene or document, and if requested by the user a detailed information of specific matters in real-time - be it items on a menu or detailed medicine leaflet.

OrCam stated that MyEye’s AI extends the device’s capabilities beyond immediate environmental interaction to access extensive information. By engaging with the web, the AI companion provides a detailed understanding of a wide range of topics and current events. It also provided verbal access to visual/text information from both offline and online sources.

The AI technology positions OrCam MyEye as an assistive companion that simplifies tasks such as reading and identifying objects and people. It also serves as a gateway to the extensive repository of data, information, and services available.

OrCam Read 3 is an all-in-one solution, with an Interactive AI Assistant, designed to support people with vision loss or reading fatigue and throughout vision changes. It functions as a handheld reading companion, as a magnifier, or a stationary reader, based on the users’ needs and comfort.

Also unveiled by OrCam at CES 2024, the new Just Ask smart magnifier feature for the OrCam Read 3 assistive reading technology device is tailored specifically to the needs of individuals with visual impairments or reading challenges. The device captures an image of the text or handwriting the user is interested in, which could range from a book page to a handwritten letter. Once the image is captured, the OrCam Read 3 processes it with its AI capabilities.

The company further stated that the Just Ask feature offers a wide range of interactive options, including the following:

• It summarizes any captured text, which is particularly useful when users need a quick understanding of longer articles or documents without reading every word.
• It allows the user to ask follow-up questions related to the text and beyond.
• It can read the full text aloud, which is beneficial for users who need complete information from legal documents, comprehensive reports or reading books for pleasure.
• It provides contextual information. Users can make queries related to the text, extending beyond the captured words—for instance, if a user is reading about a historical figure, they might request a biography. OrCam Read 3 responds by leveraging internet resources to furnish the user with the requested information, thus serving not just as a reader, but as an interactive tool that delivers an enriched knowledge experience.

The capacity to interact with text and provide responses makes it more than just a magnifier or a simple document reader; it effectively turns into a powerful reference tool that can enhance the users’ understanding and connection with the content they are engaging with. For those with visual impairments, it represents a significant enhancement in their ability to independently access a wider range of information and enjoy a deeper reading experience.

In addition to its advanced AI capabilities, the OrCam Read 3 includes standard magnifier features, allowing users to zoom in on text and other visual elements to enhance readability and accessibility. The combination of magnification and AI-powered text recognition and interpretation makes the OrCam Read 3 a comprehensive and user-friendly tool for individuals with visual impairments or reading fatigue, advised the company.

Finally, the company stated that when used as a handheld reading companion, OrCam Read 3 retains all the benefits of the original OrCam Read, redesigned with easy-to-navigate yellow buttons and new voice options to instantly read printed or digital text from any surface, at home, or on the go.