“BraillePen 24 Now Supports Continuous Touch Reading” — Harpo Unveils Enhanced Braille Display

Harpo has launched an updated version of its BraillePen 24, introducing new braille cells that allow users to keep their fingers on the display while reading. The enhancement addresses a key usability challenge in earlier models, where readers had to lift their fingers to detect content changes. The company reports strong interest following demonstrations at major international assistive technology events, including Sight City in Frankfurt.

Jarek Urbanski, CEO of Harpo, spoke to Double Tap about the release and the company’s 40-year journey in assistive technology. Established in 1985 in Poland, Harpo has developed products for blind users worldwide, with its BraillePen line representing a core focus. “Now you can keep your finger on the display to feel that something changes and read the contents,” Jarek explained, adding that early client feedback drove the decision to redesign the cells.

The refreshed BraillePen 24 remains the smallest 24‑cell display on the market at 15 millimetres thick. It connects seamlessly to iOS and Android via HID and also offers an internal application mode with local storage and note‑taking capabilities, which can synchronise with services like Gmail. Priced at €1,995, the device balances advanced features with the funding limits of international subsidy schemes, which often dictate market availability.

Jarek emphasised that product design has become as important as functionality. Harpo collaborated with industrial designers and universities to refine its devices, resulting in more compact, tactilely appealing products. “It’s equally important for blind people to have something nice, something that looks good,” he said, noting that the BraillePen 24’s development was supported by both the Polish government and the European Union.

Alongside braille hardware, Harpo continues to support tactile graphics production through its long‑standing Pictures in a Flash (P.I.A.F.) device and custom swell paper, which remains a significant part of the company’s business. Kabanski, awarded the title of Friend of the Blind by the Polish Association of the Blind, highlighted that while needs for assistive technology are universal, the size of each market is shaped heavily by local funding structures.

The new BraillePen 24 is available worldwide through Harpo’s distributor network, with details provided on the company’s website.

Resources:

– Harpo International
https://int.harpo.com.pl/

– BraillePen 24 Product Page
https://braillepen.com/

– Sight City
https://sightcity.net/