Sight Village London: SEVA Augmented Reality Glasses For Low Vision People
In this episode of Double Tap, recorded live at Sight Village London, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece speak with Mani from Purview about the Seva AR glasses, an innovative wearable designed to enhance the lives of individuals with low vision and blindness. Mani explains that the glasses, inspired by the concept of “Seva,” meaning selfless service, are built on the principles of exploration, experience, and empowerment. He emphasizes the personalized AI capabilities that make the glasses stand out, such as facial recognition, object detection, and scene navigation.
The Seva glasses provide a unique mix of augmented reality and AI, allowing users to identify objects, recognize familiar faces, and navigate their surroundings with precise directional feedback. The device can also magnify text, adjust contrast, and read handwritten notes, making it useful for a variety of visual impairments. Mani highlights the integration of ChatGPT within the glasses, enabling users to perform tasks without relying on a smartphone.
During the interview, users Gau and Clark share their experiences with the Seva glasses. Gau, who has been using the glasses for months, describes how they help him navigate, recognize bus stops, and identify objects on a table with detailed descriptions. Clark, a professional Braille artist, discusses how the glasses transform his ability to engage with visual environments, describing art and providing emotive feedback. Clark shares, “I’ve gone to exhibitions, clicked the side of my head, and it’s describing the art—not in a patronizing way, but in an emotive way. It makes me smile every time.”
Mani also underscores the durability and accessibility of the glasses. The glasses are self-powered, equipped with Android processors, and do not require a subscription for software updates. They are currently available in two models, with prices starting at $1,995. He emphasizes, “This is a purpose beyond profit. Our idea is clear—create the right software and make the technology accessible to everyone who needs it.”
For more information about the Seva AR glasses, visit Seva Vision.