TellMate - Multipurpose mate for the visually impaired

TellMate introduces a new product for the blind people. It's a multi-purpose product that will enable them to listen to music, and identify household items. The Mark 2 version will also be able to read SD cards. It has a one gigabyte memory and can be used as a music player, radio, clock, talking book player, voice recorder and label reader.

tellmate

How does it work?

It works as a normal music player but has comparatively less buttons; the main function is about identification of household items. TellMate uses RFID tags that can be attached to, for example, different food items in a kitchen cupboard. Each label transmits a low-powered signal to the device which then plays the audio clip that has been recorded and associated with it. The labels can be re-used by recording a new audio clip. As the labels are unpowered, you have to be in close proximity to them - about five or six centimetres away.

TellMate's will be available at the end of this year and the expected retail price is ₤250, and the SD card version should be available by the end of the year.

Via: BBC