Touching Tech

3D printed photographs allow the blind to ‘see again’.

Can you imagine what it must be like to be blind?

And can you imagine what it must be like to have once been able to see and then going blind?

A new innovation is aiming to allow blind people to be able to ‘see’ their photographic memories again through 3D printing technology.

Touchable Memories is a new product innovation by the 3D printing company Pirate3D.

Through their Buccaneer 3D printers, the company is able to recreate family photographs in a 3D ‘touchable’ format. The printer is able to create a topographical ‘etching’ from a provided photograph – allowing the blind person to run their fingers over the surface, just like reading braille.

The printer uses a ‘fused filament fabrication’ to create 3D sculptural models that create a tactile experience potently triggering memories and providing a way to ‘see’ again.

In one the touching videos on the site, we hear the amazing story of Gabor, a director of photography in the movie business. He tragically lost his sight twelve years ago, but stunningly has recently been able to work again for a short film in Bolivia.

Through the Touchable Memories project, Gabor was able to provide a still from this short film – a shoot that was so significant to him – and have it recreated in a sculptural form so he could “see” what he had created for the first time. He said it was like having “the world in my palm”.

There’s also the story of Yassine, who despite being blind from birth, was still able to benefit from the Touching Memories project.

Yassine’s father died when he was just five years old, and despite the fact that he never actually ‘saw’ his father, his memories of him are incredibly strong, with his dearest memory one where his Dad used to throw him into the air and catch him. Through the project, a photograph of this was created into a model that Yassine could feel. He said, “This reminds me of all of the moments I spent with my father”.

We challenge you to watch the videos without getting a little lump in your throat.

Source : parents[dot]nickjr[dot]com[dot]au