A portable device called .lumen, still in development, is being designed to help blind people move independently in public and outdoor spaces. Despite the name, it does not work like ordinary glasses. In practice, it is a robust headset, similar to virtual reality equipment, but with a completely different proposal, replacing vision with intelligent perception of the environment.

Instead of images, the humen uses tactile and sound feedback, subtle vibrations on the forehead indicate direction and proximity of obstacles, while an audio system like Binforming offers discreet guidance without isolating the user from the environment, all of this is possible because the device's AI processes sensor data more than 100 times per second similar to what happens in autonomous cars.

In addition, six cameras, infrared projectors for night use, motion sensors, gyroscopes and GPS work together to map the environment in real time, the system identifies people, obstacles on the ground and overhead, stairs, doors, bus stops, pedestrian crossings and even dangerous surfaces such as puddles or slippery snow.

With simple voice commands, the user can ask to be guided to specific destinations, such as home or work, the company is also developing more natural navigation in which phrases such as, "Take me to my office or, "Where is the nearest Starbucks?" Are understood by the AI, which then guides the person to the exact location, even inside buildings, the .lumen is not yet cheap or discreet, but if it delivers what it promises, it can represent something much bigger than a technological advance, it can mean freedom of movement, autonomy and dignity for millions of blind people around the world.