The DeTECHtive: Findings on a Start-Up Envisioning a Future for the Legally Blind

Case #6:Start-Up: eSightDevelopment Coordinator: Yvonne FelixIndustry: Wearable technologyOne of the greatest aspects of technology is its ability to enhance a person’s quality of life. Restrictions wait to be overcome, barriers act as a reminder of one more problem waiting to be resolved. Loss in vision is one such barrier in which a person is visually cut off from the rest of society. While a myriad of technological advancements have emerged to combat this issue, there is one invention and start-up that has made headway in an incredible, unforgettable way. Enter eSight. This Canadian-based start-up has developed wearable electronic glasses for those classified as legally blind enabling them to regain visual acuity.Loss of vision is a problem that people face around the world. Current eSight users experience vision loss due to conditions ranging from macular degeneration and optic nerve hypoplasia to diabetic retinopathy and various forms of glaucoma. Macular degeneration, for instance, is found in North America to be one of the leading causes for blindness. This condition causes people to lose their central vision and often affects people aged 60 and older. It has been established that approximately 10 million people in the United States and one million in Canada are affected by this condition alone. Thus, from an economic standpoint, this is an immense market of potential consumers that can be tapped by this exciting technology. From a social vantage point, this population represents a demographic of persons whose lives can be positively affected by this technology.The digital eyewear that eSight provides consists of a headset and small, lightweight controller. The headset includes a high-definition camera, OLED screens and more that collect and display a real-time video feed. The controlling powers of eSight work as a processing unit that adjusts each pixel making up the video displayed. The three main features of eSight that differentiate the start-up’s technology as providing both effectiveness and quality include its ability to zoom up to 14 times, adjust contrast, and change and invert colors. The device, which like the company is also called eSight, assists people to assimilate into society and transcend pre-perceived limitations.Now, eSight does not merely produce eyewear like many of its competitors. Instead, it produces eyewear and works to make their product financially affordable. The company makes a concerted effort to provide access to advice and support for consumers to assist in obtaining the eyewear. Not only does it offer an incredible technology, but eSight assists prospective consumers. The eSight team offers an Access and Outreach Program, in which support is provided as consumers raise money for their glasses.I had the pleasure to speak with Yvonne Felix, who is both an eSight Ambassador and the Access and Community Development Coordinator. Yvonne has been legally blind since childhood due to Stargardts, a juvenile form of macular degeneration, and works as both an advocate on behalf of the target consumers and the product provider. Speaking with her further illustrated why eSight is a unique and inspirational start-up that is revolutionizing an already innovative field. Upon asking what inspired her to work for eSight, Felix responded, “As I’ve been visually impaired for several decades, working with eSight has given me the opportunity to use many different devices to assist with tasks and improve my level of independence. Working with eSight means working for a company that is changing lives, a Canadian company that I am proud to be a part of. I want everyone who can benefit from this technology to be able to access it and for eSight to be the device to make blindness history.”This company is certainly transforming the way that low-vision is perceived, and most definitely breaking the stereotypes that surround blindness. Felix shared how her hope is that as humanity continues going down the path of becoming more bionic, that in the next five years, eSight will be a name recognized in the home and people will be familiar with its technology. The stories of those whose lives have been incredibly impacted by the eSight technology are incredibly profound. Whether allowing a mother to see her newborn child at birth or enabling an adventurous youth to go rock climbing for the first time, this device is successful in providing momentous and versatile opportunities for those with low-vision.From my standpoint, eSight is certainly on its way to accomplishing its mission to combat blindness and restore vision to those who are legally blind. This start-up wants to change history. In fact, I would say that it is more fitting to say that eSight is helping us SEE the future, one where sight can be restored with the help of its device.As TechDay’s DeTECHtive, I am so proud to feature such a life-changing start-up. I conclude this case investigation of eSight has provided irrefutable proof that this start-up will leave its mark on today’s society and benefit the industry of wearable technology.