We are starting to see some interesting applications of the acoustic vision concept (or augmented sound reality) like this CASBLIP project from the Polytechnic University of Valencia:

The CASBLIP project is a development platform financed by the European Union to aid the navigation of the blind and people with visual dishabilities. A large group of experts in different areas have analyzed and developed a set of 4 tools.

The main tools of CASBLIP are called M1 and M2, they integrate data acquisition systems and its 3D representation positioned in space, so the system can represent 3D sound readings of a linear distance measure (M1), and the possibility of incorporating stereoscopic analysis systems for detecting obstacles and hallways (in M2); and on the other hand, the third tool is based in the analysis and use of complementary systems as GPS. The latest tool is an improvement of vision in persons with different types of residual vision.

The entire M1 and M2 system is at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, at its Center for Research in Graphics Technology and aims to be the basis for developing specific tools for blind people and other visual dishabilities.

This development will be useful for any kind or people, with or without visual dishabilites, allowing us to percieve information without the need to look down to our mobile screens and stop walking.

Via: Las provincias

Note: The new theme is still in development, hopefully will be soon release it. The promised number of posts in english has been finally raised

This post is also available in Spanish