Envision
Smart glasses and app that read text and describe surroundings
Envision uses AI to help blind and low-vision people with everyday visual tasks. Users point a phone or wearable camera at printed text, a product, or a scene and hear it read or described aloud. It can read documents, scan barcodes, recognize faces of saved contacts, and identify colors and objects.
The glasses offer hands-free use, with a camera worn at head level and spoken output, which suits tasks like reading mail or navigating a new place. An assistant lets users ask follow-up questions about what the camera sees, and a calling feature reaches sighted helpers when AI is not enough.
The app has a free tier, and paid options and hardware cost more. AI descriptions can be wrong, so critical decisions such as medication should be double-checked. Alternatives include Be My Eyes with Be My AI, Microsoft Seeing AI, Google Lookout, and Aira. Envision suits blind and low-vision users seeking visual assistance.