Meta is donating AI glasses to blind veterans in Cincinnati as part of a commitment to provide the technology and training to over 130,000 legally blind veterans in the United States, according to an emailed
statement.
In partnership with the Blinded Veterans Association in Cincinnati, Meta will also host a distribution, training and practice event for blind veterans at the Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired at 2045 Gilbert Ave. The event is on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
"We are just so excited about the positive impact our team, along with Meta and BVA, can make on our local VA visually impaired community all at one time," said Aaron Bley, chief mission officer of the Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired.
Any veteran in Cincinnati who is legally blind − has 20/200 vision or worse or a field of view that is no more than 20 degrees wide − is eligible to receive one pair of free Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, while supplies last.
The glasses combine a camera, speakers, microphones and Meta's AI to describe surroundings, read text and identify objects in real time, Bley said in an emailed statement. The glasses can also connect to a smartphone and be used to take photos, send texts, make calls, listen to music and translate languages.
While the glasses are promising, Bley said that they are not a replacement for a cane, guide dog or mobility training and should be used as an assistive tool rather than a safety device. Since it is technology, its effectiveness is also dependent on lighting, internet and battery life for smartphone uses. AI-generated descriptions may also be incomplete or incorrect, Bley added, meaning users should verify important information through other ways when possible.
"These glasses have the potential to increase independence and reduce reliance on others for routine daily activities."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati's blind veterans partner with Meta to access AI glasses
