Self-driving AI glasses give blind freedom without canes or guide dogs [Video]

Romanian startup .lumen is revolutionizing mobility for the visually impaired with its cutting-edge glasses that integrate self-driving technology to mimic the core functions of a guide dog.

The company, founded in 2020 by Cornel Amariei, aims to provide a scalable solution to a global problem. While guide dogs are effective, their $0.5 billion training cost and annual production of just 2,000 dogs fall far short of addressing the needs of over 300 million visually impaired individuals worldwide.

Amariei’s motivation stems from his family background, where all members except himself have disabilities. This deeply personal connection inspired him to address the lack of advanced assistive technology. Bucharest-based .lumen is now a 50-strong team of engineers, professors, disability experts, designers, and scientists dedicated to making pedestrian mobility safer and more accessible.

The .lumen Glasses employ a haptic interface that “guides” the user’s head, steering them toward safe pathways. Robert Gutt, the company’s …