A glove system that helps visually impaired individuals read Braille and feel images.
Official title: Glove-based Tactile Streaming of Braille Characters and Digital Images for the Visually Impaired
Funded at Haptx INC. · NIH-10601900 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating special gloves that help visually impaired people read Braille and feel digital images, making it easier for them to enjoy different kinds of content and improve their daily lives.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Haptx INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Luis Obispo, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | September 29, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $257,200 |
| NIH project number | 1R41EY034738-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10601900 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include visually impaired individuals of all ages, particularly those who are children, students, or working adults.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not visually impaired or those who do not use Braille may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop a computerized glove system that allows visually impaired individuals to read Braille and experience digital images through tactile feedback. The gloves will provide a continuous stream of Braille characters and haptic representations of images, enhancing the autonomy and quality of life for users. By utilizing a bimanual haptic approach, the system will enable users to engage with a wide range of multimedia content that is typically inaccessible. The research will focus on creating a user-friendly interface that can be used by children, students, and working adults in the visually impaired community.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the independence and quality of life for visually impaired individuals by providing them access to a broader range of information and experiences.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been notable academic research in high-density Braille displays, this glove-based approach is innovative and has not been widely tested in commercial applications.
Where this research is happening
-
Haptx INC.
San Luis Obispo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eichermueller, Michael — Haptx INC.
- Study coordinator: Eichermueller, Michael
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.