This browser is not actively supported anymore. For the best passle experience, we strongly recommend you upgrade your browser.
| less than a minute read

Virtual Reality for the Blind

When I hear about virtual reality, I think of headsets that provide an immersive visual experience, For me and many others with sight loss, VR has always appeared to be technology we can't enjoy. Microsoft have been researching how to make virtual reality accessible to the blind. They have created a virtual cane that simulates the real-world feedback cane users recieve. While this is a long way off being commercially available, it provides a glimpse into how I and other visually impaired people will be able to enjoy virtual reality in the future.


I can see this technology being useful for training users on how to use a cane or practice a route ahead of eeding to travel.  I also see this technology being expanded to provide more complete feedback to gamers, allowing them to have a more immersive experience. A fine example of how trachnology developed to meet the needs of disabled people, providing broad benefit to all.

Putting all these components together, our controller allowed users who are blind to effectively explore a complicated virtual world of 6 meters by 6 meters to play a scavenger hunt game, locating targets and avoiding obstacles and traps. In user testing, we found that seven out of eight users were able to play the game, successfully navigating to locate targets while avoiding collisions with walls and obstacles

Tags

disabilityinclusion, innovation, virtualreality

Creating, sharing and inspiring change. For good.

The global issues we face are challenging and interconnected. They can seem insurmountable. But if you know where to look, co-operation, positive change and hope are all around us. Build Beyond Even Better is a project that recognises the progress being made, and the amazing people who are making a difference. Share your own hopes, pledges and projects with #BBEB, or become a contributor.

Please read our BBEB Charter PDF.