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  • Fugue State Machine Motocmdrmoto@hachyderm.io
    Oct 23, 2023, 7:51 PM

    The “industry standard” modules used in digital braille displays are custom piezoelectric devices, costing around $100 per “letter,” making such displays impractically expensive for most applications.

    I just learned about this hackaday prize winner, who has designed digital, refreshable #braille modules that cost less than $1 each, using teeny-tiny magnets and 3D printed parts.

    youtu.be/BXi1tG78AW4
    #OpenSource #accessibility technologies FTW!

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  • Kara GoldfinchKaraLG84@dragonscave.space
    Oct 23, 2023, 11:43 PM

    @cmdrmoto Sadly there's been many similar things like this over the years, and none of them really go anywhere, apart from the Orbit Reader from Orbit Research. I'm not sure how that works exactly but a 20 cell display is I think £400.

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  • Fugue State Machine Motocmdrmoto@hachyderm.io
    Oct 23, 2023, 11:49 PM

    @KaraLG84 Huh. I wonder if the Orbit reader is using a proprietary / patented mechanism, then?

    I wasn’t able to find any technical information on their website about how their device works, just that it’s “a revolution in affordability”

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  • Kara GoldfinchKaraLG84@dragonscave.space
    Oct 23, 2023, 11:54 PM

    @cmdrmoto Yeah I believe so. I have one. It's quite slow compared to the regular piezo based ones as it refreshes each character individually. The piezo ones do the whole line at once.

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  • Kara GoldfinchKaraLG84@dragonscave.space
    Oct 23, 2023, 11:58 PM

    @cmdrmoto Honestly I really do hope this new thing proves me wrong and something happens from it. but I've seen several such promises over the last 25 years and I just end up thinking oh not another one.

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  • Kara GoldfinchKaraLG84@dragonscave.space
    Oct 24, 2023, 12:03 AM

    @cmdrmoto Absolutely,. Another thing that needs to come down is the price of Braille Embossers. They are ridiculously expensive. You're looking at £1500 or thereabouts just for a basic one.
    I get that they're probably made to order, but still...

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  • Alex Hallalexhall@mastodon.social
    Oct 24, 2023, 1:09 AM

    @cmdrmoto @KaraLG84 I can't agree more. I'm using a 32-cell display that was made somewhere around 2005, and has a failed dot 4 in one cell. I scored it for $65 on Ebay, and I'm still happy about it. I always think how no sighted market would stand for such a state if this were monitors and not braille displays. I mean what amazing screen can you get for just $200? Anyway, I truly hope this project goes somewhere.

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