Blind people can ‘see’ via their tongues with BrainPort V100

Wicab announces European market approval for its non-invasive assistive aid for the blind.

The BrainPort V100 is a non-surgical, non-invasive assistive aid that translates visual images of the user’s environment into electro-tactile signals displayed on the user’s tongue. With supervised training, users learn to interpret the electro-tactile signals to perceive shape, size, location, and motion of surrounding objects. The BrainPort V100 is intended for use as an electronic assistive device for individuals who are profoundly blind (light perception or no light perception). It is specifically indicated for use as an aid in orientation, mobility, object recognition, and spot reading. The device is limited to investigational use in the United States.

Robert Beckman, Wicab CEO, indicated the BrainPort V100 will initially be available in Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Italy. The company plans to establish a demonstration program so that prospective customers can try the device for up to several days at a nominal cost, with no obligation to purchase the device. Wicab is simultaneously seeking philanthropic partners to help make this technology available to potential users that otherwise cannot afford to purchase the device.

Beckman said: “After over 15 years of research at Wicab, we are very excited to be able to introduce the BrainPort V100 to the general public in the European Economic Area.”

The technology behind the BrainPort V100 was first developed by the late Dr. Paul Bach-y-Rita, Wicab’s co-founder and former University of Wisconsin-Madison professor, who is widely known for his work related to brain plasticity and sensory substitution.

Beckman said: “Potential advantages of the BrainPort V100 are that it can be used regardless of the cause or duration of blindness, and does not require an intact optic nerve in order to function. Individuals blinded by congenital and acquired causes may use the BrainPort V100. Another potential advantage is its simplicity. Our non-surgical solution allows users to save their eyes, in case future developments in stem cell research offer better alternatives for people who are totally blind.”