New device to help blind people read

A new electronic device incorporating a personal digital assistant and a digital camera promises to help the blind understand what's on the menu, according to AP.

" It's not the eyes that work, but we're looking at it ," said James Gashel, director of the National Federation of the Blind. Then, the images are read by a synthesized voice of the handheld device, which was developed by Ray Kurzweil and is expected to sell for $ 3,500.

Gashel said the technique is the biggest breakthrough for blind and visually impaired people over the past three decades. He calls it ' talking camera '.

Q.HUANG