Today, we’d like to introduce a new technology that aims to make everyday life more convenient for people who are blind or visually impaired. It’s called Dot Vista, a collaborative development by Dot Inc., Microsoft, and Hanyang University. I had the chance to see a demo of this technology, and I was truly impressed. The fact that it allows people to recognize the shape of objects and even check the condition of fruits through touch was especially fascinating.
One feature that stood out the most was the “Accessible Zoo”. Imagine the excitement and curiosity kids feel at the zoo. Now, thanks to this technology, people with visual impairments can experience that same joy through their fingertips. The feeling of an elephant’s long trunk or a giraffe’s elegant neckline can be conveyed through tactile sensations. Isn’t that incredible?
Another highlight was the “Fruits Classification”. This advancement gives us a glimpse into a future where managing fruit inventories becomes much more efficient. By using tactile feedback, people will be able to identify and classify fruits with greater accuracy, making the process faster and more intuitive.
Dot Vista is not just about technology — it’s about creating an inclusive world where everyone can explore and experience.
A real-time display of an Accessible Zoo dragonfly image on the Dot Pad
A real-time display of a rotten pear image from Fruits Classification on the Dot Pad
A real-time display of a fresh orange image from Fruits Classification on the Dot Pad
Dot Vista assesses the freshness of fruits by analyzing their images, allowing it to distinguish between fresh and less fresh apples. This advancement will make inventory management much more efficient. For example, a fresh orange appears with a perfect shape, while a less fresh orange can be identified by holes or blemishes on its surface.
What's even more exciting is that all of this was unveiled on the world stage at Microsoft Ignite 2024. Of course, this kind of groundbreaking technology didn’t just happen overnight. It’s the result of the passion and effort of so many people. In particular, Professor Yongjae Yoo's research team at Hanyang University dedicated themselves to research day and night. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, we now have DotVista to be proud of.
A group photo of the Dot and stakeholders gathered together at the Microsoft Ignite 2024 event.
Dot Vista AI and Dot Pad Image Demonstrated at the Microsoft Ignite 2024 Event.
Sometimes, I wonder — maybe the true value of technology lies in how much it can improve people's lives. DotVista seems to be a perfect example of that.
With the Microsoft Ignite 2024 event, I’m excited to see how people will react to DotVista and what new stories will unfold from this experience.
We invite you to join us on this special journey. The things we take for granted might be a dream come true for someone else. With DotVista, we can all witness the moment when those dreams become reality. Stay tuned for the next updates!