The goal of our laboratory is to develop and test assistive technology for blind and visually impaired persons that is enabled by computer vision and other sensor technologies.
Principal Investigator:
James CoughlanThe Magic Map is an interactive 3D map installed at the Magical Bridge Playground in Palo Alto, California. It consists of a 1/100 scale 3D bronze representation of the playground, which includes over seventy play structures organized into multiple play zones and paths. When the tip of the “Magic Wand” tethered to the map is pointed to a specific feature on the map, the name and description of the feature are read aloud in audio. This interactivity makes the map accessible to visitors with visual impairments, and without requiring them to read braille.
The Magic Map is an interactive 3D map is installed at the Magical Bridge Playground in Palo Alto, California. Point the Magic Wand at a play feature on this 1/100 3D scale map of the playground and the name and description of the feature will be read aloud in audio. Using technology from the CamIO project, the Magic Map allows visitors to explore the playground model with their eyes, hands and ears.
The Magic Map has been undertaken in collaboration with the Magical Bridge Foundation and XR Navigation, and with support from the National Eye Institute, National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, The Enlight Foundation, Vince Steckler Innovation Fund and the Magical Bridge Foundation.
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CamIO Receives Supplement to Enhance Software Tools for Open Science
Dr. James Coughlan has been awarded funds to increase access to his CamIO tool for making objects accessible to blind and visually impaired persons. The funds were part of NIH’s Notice of Special Interest for Administrative Supplements to Enhance Software Tools for Open Science and
Audiom allows for non-visual, virtual visits to the Magical Bridge playground
The Magical Bridge Foundation mission is to build playgrounds that can be enjoyed by all children. For the first time, it is now possible for blind and visually impaired visitors to view a nonvisual map of the Magical Bridge Playground
Get Involved
If you are interested in vision science or want to learn more about low vision and blindness, there are many opportunities to get involved at The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute.
Coughlan LabThe goal of our laboratory is to develop and test assistive technology for blind and visually impaired persons that is enabled by computer vision and other sensor technologies.
Inactive
RERC Center Grant
The RERC Center Grant funds a number of projects for blind and visually impaired persons. The projects broadly fall into the categories of Functional Assessment, Access to Spatial and Graphic Information, and STEM Education.
CamIO Receives Supplement to Enhance Software Tools for Open ScienceDr. James Coughlan has been awarded funds to increase access to his CamIO tool for making objects accessible to blind and visually impaired persons. The funds were part of NIH's Notice of Special Interest for...
Audiom allows for non-visual, virtual visits to the Magical Bridge playgroundThe Magical Bridge Foundation mission is to build playgrounds that can be enjoyed by all children. For the first time, it is now possible for blind and visually impaired visitors...