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Meet RaahiSense.

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Raahi means traveller.

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It is a free phone app for people who are legally blind or have low vision.

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According to the World Health Organization, at least 2.2 billion people worldwide have a near or distance vision impairment.

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On busy streets, potholes, open drains and traffic make every walk risky.

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RaahiSense uses the phone's camera and on-device AI to spot obstacles and speak a warning out loud.

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For example: pothole ahead, very close.

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Carry it hands-free in a shirt pocket, with the camera facing forward and peeking over the top, or simply hold it in your hand while you walk.

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Every warning tells you the direction, left, ahead or right, and how close it is: very close, near, or far.

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It is trained on tens of thousands of images of real street obstacles, from potholes and open drains to auto-rickshaws and cows.

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RaahiSense helps at home, too.

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It warns about chairs, tables, sofas and beds, stairs, and people or pets in the way, so moving around the house is easier.

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It works fully offline, with no Wi-Fi or mobile data, on low-cost, everyday Android phones.

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So it fits places where connectivity is patchy.

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Control is hands-free.

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Just say, Hey Guide, then a command like: what's in front of me, repeat, louder, or change language.

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On noisy streets, simply long-press a volume key, double-tap anywhere on the screen, or shake the phone.

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It keeps running with the screen off in your pocket or bag, speaks warnings in multiple languages starting with English, and it is completely free.

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And RaahiSense keeps getting smarter.

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As more people use it, it learns from real streets and homes, with sharing always optional and private.

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Coming next: a standalone RaahiSense device with a small camera that clips onto your shirt, so no smartphone is needed.

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RaahiSense.

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Safer steps, spoken out loud.

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A project by Dr. Chindanoor Rajesh.

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Visit raahisense.com, or reach us at raahisenseapp@gmail.com.