Technology May Give Blind a Touch of Sight

This article is about a device called BrainPort that has the possibility of allowing the blind to "see." BrainPort uses cameras for eyes, and the images from the camera are then converted to mechanical impulses on the tongue. With time, the user will be able to identify what the different impulses mean in a way that will allow them to see the world around them. The process is compared to learning a new language. The inventor demonstrated the device's capabilities, and he was able to walk through their office without any guidance, navigate an obstacle course, pick out specific shapes, and even spot the logo on a football jersey.

I found this to be very interesting because it is such a new field that would change the lives of so many people. It presents an opportunity that the blind could only dream of in the past. With improvements to the device over time, the blind may someday be able to see just as well as any other person.

http://articles.news.aol.com/news/_a/technology-may-give-blind-a-touch-of/20070119070609990017?cid=2249