TEAM
At Eyesynth we pride ourselves on being a team with a deep sense of humanism.
In each work block, in each department, we have one thing in common: We are passionate about our work and intrigued by solving challenges. Taking the NIIRA project forward has undoubtedly been the most complex and difficult task of our careers. And also the most rewarding. The public response more than compensates for all the effort invested, and gives a total sense of purpose to our work.
Our team is gradually growing, made up of people specialised in numerous fields:
- Hardware engineering
- Software engineering
- Image Processing Systems and Machine Vision
- Artificial intelligence
- Integration and Security Systems
- Business, Planning and Strategy
- Marketing and Communication
- Industrial design
- Finance and Administration
- Sales and Distribution
- Betatesting
- Customer service
- Technical support
“Our aim is to create Humanistic Technology” (*)
(*) That which supports and empowers the human being, which helps to break down barriers and improve life.
Technology
Introduction
NIIRA is an extremely complex project that draws on numerous technical disciplines, from the design of computer vision algorithms to the manufacture of hardware capable of processing such a large amount of information; it is portable and energy efficient. It also has a strong industrial design and ergonomics component. The challenge was to come up with a system that is easy to use, portable, energy efficient, and offers unique features that no other assistive device possesses. This task has taken us almost 10 years of development, working from the very beginning with blind people, side by side. Along the way we have discovered the needs of the public, environmental barriers and the limits of technology.
It all started with a friend’s son, who was born blind. This circumstance made us reflect and come to the conclusion that there is no standard for technological mobility, from the guide dog and the cane.
The time has come to change this.
On the other hand, we are fascinated by the phenomenon of synesthesia, or cross-sense: some people have the ability to see sounds, taste colours or hear numbers. Perhaps we could find a bridge between their senses to share information. So we created an algorithm that converted 3D data into sound. We tested it on a number of blind people and found it to be a highly effective way. And that’s where it all started.
Currently, the NIIRA (Non Invasive Image Resynthesis into Audio) system consists of glasses with sensors and 3D cameras (colour, depth and laser sensors). In addition, they have an integrated bone conduction audio system, so we transmit sound through the skull without blocking the ear canal.
The 3D information collected by the glasses (several million three-dimensional dots, at 60 frames per second) is sent by cable to the image processing unit. There it is transformed into a sound similar to the murmur of the sea, which changes its characteristics according to the recorded 3D maps.
In practice, it is an extremely easy system to use and understand; explaining how it works here is very difficult, as it is a purely sensory experience. Imagine how to explain in words what yellow or green means to a person who was born blind.
The human brain is very plastic, with an amazing capacity for adaptation and learning. All our users never cease to amaze us as they constantly evolve and refine their new perceptions.
As a startup, we believe that the best way to move forward is to build alliances with the best suppliers and specialists in each field.
Our systems are supported by numerous processors (CPU, GPU, ASIC, DSP, Neuronals, Audio Codecs…) that work as a well-tuned orchestra under the command of a highly customised Linux system, prepared to work on critical tasks in a stable and real-time way.
The electronics to run all these systems is quite special, and we have the best suppliers of electronic systems:
Intel Realsense
They provide us with their latest camera and depth sensors, with the most advanced and robust features on the market. We work closely on the integration into our system through thoroughly tested and polished drivers and firmware.
Ortofon A/S
Undisputed leaders in bone conduction audio systems. They have high-precision technology, which allows the subtlest details of spatial information to be transferred through sound. We worked closely with their engineering department to integrate their bone conduction modules in NIIRA, achieving a set that allows our users to listen to the environment while having a conversation and detect obstacles while listening to the environment around them.
Inelcom and Toradex
European integrators and electronics manufacturers of the highest level. The working methods, installations and certifications allow us to manufacture robust, safe and durable electronics.
Our supply chain consists of numerous manufacturers and suppliers (95% of the components are manufactured and assembled in Europe), which ensures a high quality product and performance.
Our technology is patented in 40 countries.
We have achieved the highest ratings and success percentiles from numerous evaluators. Our patent is referenced in numerous publications and subsequent patents worldwide.
R&D&I is in Eyesynth’s DNA. That’s why we are constantly evolving, designing the future of mobility; implementing numerous technologies and patents.
Evolution
Eyesynth is a company that was born in 2015, with numerous milestones along the way.
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