Vonage Case Studies Vonage Video API Empowers Be My Eyes App to Aid Visually Impaired

Edit This Case Study Record

	Vonage Video API Empowers Be My Eyes App to Aid Visually Impaired Vonage

Vonage Video API Empowers Be My Eyes App to Aid Visually Impaired

Vonage

Technology Category	Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Event-Driven Application Sensors - Camera / Video Systems
Applicable Industries	Buildings Equipment & Machinery
Services	System Integration
Challenge	The challenge was to create an easy-to-use application that could assist visually impaired individuals in accomplishing simple tasks around the house. Everyday tasks such as identifying the correct public transit route, checking the expiration date of a carton of milk, or selecting the right ingredients from the pantry can be difficult for those who are blind. While many visually impaired individuals rely on friends and family for assistance, they often feel guilty asking for help. The goal was to provide 'another set of eyes' to these individuals, enabling them to accomplish more on their own without needing to constantly seek assistance from those around them. Read More
About Customer	The customer in this case study is the non-profit organization Be My Eyes, founded by Hans Jørgen Wiberg, who spent three years working for the Danish Blind Society interviewing people about how best to cope with visual impairment. Wiberg, who is visually impaired himself, was inspired to create an application that would enable visually impaired people to use their smartphones to 'see' with the help of a sighted volunteer. Be My Eyes partnered with Danish development shop Robocat to bring this concept to life. Read More
Solution	The solution was the development of the Be My Eyes app, powered by the Vonage Video API and Web RTC. The Denmark-based team built an app for IOS and Android devices, which matches blind people who need assistance with a network of volunteers willing to help. Registered volunteers receive notifications on their devices when a blind person is seeking help. Upon accepting the request, a video connection is established between the two via the Be My Eyes app. Using the rear-facing camera on the device of the person who requests help, the volunteer can see exactly what is in front of the visually impaired person and provide necessary guidance. This innovative use of WebRTC and the Vonage Video API has revolutionized the way visually impaired individuals receive assistance. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Event-Driven Application

Sensors - Camera / Video Systems

Applicable Industries

Buildings

Equipment & Machinery

Services

System Integration

Challenge

The challenge was to create an easy-to-use application that could assist visually impaired individuals in accomplishing simple tasks around the house. Everyday tasks such as identifying the correct public transit route, checking the expiration date of a carton of milk, or selecting the right ingredients from the pantry can be difficult for those who are blind. While many visually impaired individuals rely on friends and family for assistance, they often feel guilty asking for help. The goal was to provide 'another set of eyes' to these individuals, enabling them to accomplish more on their own without needing to constantly seek assistance from those around them.

About Customer

The customer in this case study is the non-profit organization Be My Eyes, founded by Hans Jørgen Wiberg, who spent three years working for the Danish Blind Society interviewing people about how best to cope with visual impairment. Wiberg, who is visually impaired himself, was inspired to create an application that would enable visually impaired people to use their smartphones to 'see' with the help of a sighted volunteer. Be My Eyes partnered with Danish development shop Robocat to bring this concept to life.

Solution

The solution was the development of the Be My Eyes app, powered by the Vonage Video API and Web RTC. The Denmark-based team built an app for IOS and Android devices, which matches blind people who need assistance with a network of volunteers willing to help. Registered volunteers receive notifications on their devices when a blind person is seeking help. Upon accepting the request, a video connection is established between the two via the Be My Eyes app. Using the rear-facing camera on the device of the person who requests help, the volunteer can see exactly what is in front of the visually impaired person and provide necessary guidance. This innovative use of WebRTC and the Vonage Video API has revolutionized the way visually impaired individuals receive assistance.

Impact #1	The operational result of this solution is a significant improvement in the quality of life for visually impaired individuals. The Be My Eyes app allows them to accomplish everyday tasks independently, reducing their reliance on friends and family. The app also fosters a sense of community, as it connects visually impaired individuals with volunteers willing to help. Furthermore, it contributes to the 'micro-volunteering' movement, where people can volunteer from anywhere, anytime, providing an easy but significant way of helping the blind community.

Impact #1

The operational result of this solution is a significant improvement in the quality of life for visually impaired individuals. The Be My Eyes app allows them to accomplish everyday tasks independently, reducing their reliance on friends and family. The app also fosters a sense of community, as it connects visually impaired individuals with volunteers willing to help. Furthermore, it contributes to the 'micro-volunteering' movement, where people can volunteer from anywhere, anytime, providing an easy but significant way of helping the blind community.

Benefit #1	Within a few weeks of launching the app, over 106,000 helpers signed up to assist nearly 9,000 visually-impaired users.
Benefit #2	In the months following the launch, the number of users and volunteers has grown substantially.

Benefit #1

Within a few weeks of launching the app, over 106,000 helpers signed up to assist nearly 9,000 visually-impaired users.

Benefit #2

In the months following the launch, the number of users and volunteers has grown substantially.

Download PDF Version

Overview

Vonage Video API Empowers Be My Eyes App to Aid Visually Impaired

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit