Official Launch of the “SmartPhone Vision” Project: Empowering Individuals with Visual Impairments through AI and Haptic Technologies
We are proud to announce the official launch of the European project “SmartPhone Vision” (“Empowering Vision: AI and Haptic Technologies for People with Visual Impairments”, Project Reference: 2026-1-EL01-KA210-ADU-000468609), co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union through the Greek National Agency (State Scholarships Foundation – IKY).
Commencing on September 1, 2026, this 24-month initiative focuses on advancing digital inclusion, everyday autonomy, and equal accessibility for visually impaired adults.
The Vision and Innovation Behind the Project
While the pace of digital transformation continues to accelerate, it frequently widens the accessibility gap for individuals with sensory disabilities. SmartPhone Vision tackles this challenge by merging Artificial Intelligence (Computer Vision) with intuitive Haptic Feedback mechanisms.
Rather than relying on costly proprietary hardware, the project harnesses the widespread availability of mainstream smartphones. Through an open-source mobile application, the smartphone’s camera detects obstacles and spatial surroundings in real time, translating visual data into distinct vibration codes and auditory prompts to foster safe orientation and independent mobility.
A Strong Transnational Partnership
To achieve its goals, the project mobilizes a balanced consortium of civil society, academia, and disability advocacy across Greece and Romania:
- Voluntary Organisation “ANORASIS” (Greece – Project Coordinator): Leading overall administrative governance, communication, and local pilot training implementations.
- International Hellenic University / IHU (Greece – Technical & Scientific Lead): Directing the AI software development, obstacle detection engine, and standardized haptic vibration framework.
- Asociația Nevăzătorilor din România – Filiala Arad (Romania – Transnational Partner): Guiding accessibility compliance, user-centered co-design, and pilot field trials in Romania.
Key Next Steps
During the first project year, the consortium will collaborate on:
- Conducting participatory co-design workshops directly involving visually impaired users.
- Developing the multi-modal “Haptic-Vision Educational Toolkit” in accessible digital, audio, and Braille-ready formats.
- Delivering train-the-trainer activities and piloting practical workshops for over 100 adult learners across Greece and Romania.
All software outputs and learning materials will be made available under Open Educational Resources (OER) and open-source licenses, ensuring lasting social impact and broad community adoption.
Stay connected for upcoming updates regarding our online consortium launch and activity milestones!
