EYEGUIDE AI: A SMART VISION COMPANION FOR THE BLIND

Abstract: Visual impairment continues to be a significant challenge worldwide, affecting over two billion individuals and often restricting their ability to navigate and interact with their environment independently. Traditional aids such as white canes and guide dogs, while invaluable, do not provide contextual awareness or access to dynamic information like printed text or sudden obstacles. To address these limitations, we present EyeGuide AI, an innovative assistive technology system that leverages the power of artificial intelligence and computer vision to deliver real-time object detection, text recognition, and emergency alert capabilities. Developed using Python, YOLOv8, and Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services, EyeGuide AI seamlessly integrates local and cloud-based AI functionalities to ensure robust and reliable performance. The system is designed to be cost-effective and compatible with widely available hardware, making it accessible to a broad user base. Our experiments demonstrate that EyeGuide AI significantly enhances navigation, reading accuracy, and emergency preparedness for visually impaired users. The system’s modular design, real-time feedback, and focus on user accessibility highlight its potential to redefine the landscape of inclusive assistive technologies.