Novartis – Mobile App for the Blind

About the project

We've come to expect from ARworks that it always seeks new paths and tries to build the highest technologically available level into its applications. This was no different with the ViaOptaDaily app created for Novartis, which is designed to help blind people in their everyday lives. In many fields, such as entertainment, advertising, or education, apps are already undeniably taking a leading role, yet we tend to forget that the mini supercomputers we carry in our pockets every day, and which have practically become part of us, can also provide help in other areas of life. One of the product groups of Novartis, the Swiss pharmaceutical company, serves the medical treatment of eye diseases. Although the company does everything it can to promote and spread this worldwide, it cannot cure every eye disease. That's why they decided to also help those who have partially or completely lost their sight. The app doesn't aim to sell any product or service, it "simply" wants to help. The app is available in seven languages and includes six functions: Color Recognition – The app detects and states the color of the object placed in front of it. Money Recognition – This function recognizes and reads aloud the denomination of the euro or dollar bill in front of the camera. Contacts – A voice-enabled contact list that can be saved with a picture and sound, so that important people are always at hand. Magnifier – for reading small print (specifically for the visually impaired). Stopwatch – Specially developed for the blind, with a vibrating touch strip at the bottom indicating the remaining time. Weather – Easily recognizable indication of the current and upcoming days' weather with audiovisual content. The app can be operated in multiple settings (blind, visually impaired, audio, vibration, high contrast), so it can meet a wide range of needs. The app provides continuous audio feedback, helping people with reduced vision navigate within the app. We hope that this app provides a somewhat better quality of life for the blind and visually impaired, and perhaps one day it will even replace the white cane or the guide dog.