Company:eSight

From HandWiki
eSight
TypeTech startup
IndustryMedical technology
Founded2006
FounderConrad Lewis
Key people
Robert Vaters (President & CEO), Brian McCollum (CCO), Gregory Ogorek (COO & President, eSight International), Charles Lim (CTO), Moezur Raza (Senior Director of Finance)
Websitehttp://esighteyewear.com/

eSight is a wearable medical device designed to improve the functional vision of those living with low vision or legal blindness. The device was developed by Canadian-based tech firm eSight Corp.

History

eSight was founded in 2006 by Conrad Lewis, a Canadian electrical engineer with two legally blind sisters. His motivation was to build a device that would enable his sisters to see, be able to work and independently perform virtually all activities of daily living (ADLs).[1][2] He spent seven years developing the breakthrough technology.[3]

The first generation of the device, eSight 1, was released in October 2013. The second generation, eSight 2, was released in May 2015 and contained several hardware upgrades, including HD OLED screens, enhanced color and screen resolution and a longer battery life.[4]

The current generation, eSight 3, was released in February 2017[5][6][7], and it took over two years to complete the full design.[8] The device has been clinically validated for use in 86 per cent of all cases of vision loss[3], and is the only clinically-validated device on the market that allows those with vision loss to see.[9] In 2019, the price for eSight 3 was reduced from $9,500 USD to $5,950 USD.[10] Potential buyers can also benefit from a special crowd-funding platform, and eSight helps them with outreach to employers, community groups and other organizations that might bear some of the cost.[3]

Specifications

eSight 3
eSight 3

eSight includes two HD color displays, one in front of each eye, with prescription lenses tailored to the user’s particular prescription. The displays integrate dual independent and high contrast OLED screens, 1024x768 resolution and a 37.5 degree field-of-view. The camera on the front of the device captures video in Ultra HD at 21.5 MP and allows for up to 24x zoom. eSight’s user interface also features HDMI and USB inputs, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and removable SD cards.[5][6][7]

Features

  • Spot Zoom: ability to zoom out quickly for a full look at the surroundings, and then quickly zoom in for a more detailed perspective as soon as any desired object of focus is determined.[11]
  • Auto Focus: allows the user to view objects with maximum clarity and sharpness.[12]
  • Zoom Function: supports a maximum zoom function of up to 24x.[13]
  • Contrast Modes: provides the user with an ability to increase and decrease contrast, along with additional contrast modes in varying colours that can enable even greater visibility.[14]
  • Brighter Images: supports a wide range of brightness modes that go well above natural, ambient levels.[15]
  • HDMI Input: allows users to connect HDMI to their personal devices to view movies, TV, games, and other media directly on their eSight.[16]
  • Optical Character Recognition (OCR): allows users to do text-to-speech synthesis, enabling them to listen to books and other text.[17]
  • eReader: support for PDF format, allowing users to open and view digital files directly in the device.[18]
  • LED Light: provides further lighting if necessary.[19]
  • Bluetooth / Wi-Fi Connectivity: easily connects to the Internet.[20]
  • Power Consumption: able to support up to 8 hours of use.[21]

Qualifications

The eSight 3 has been approved on the United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) which allows eSight to be included on the FSS through December 2023.[22] eSight is registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and EUDAMED, and is inspected by Health Canada.[23]

Clinical Studies

In 2018, eSight published results from eQUEST (The eSight Quality of Life and Efficacy Study), a multi-center, clinical study, conducted independently at six preeminent low-vision research and rehabilitation institutions in the United States and Canada with a study group of 51 subjects.[24] Published in the September 2018 issue of Optometry and Vision Science, the conclusion showed that eSight introduction yields immediate improvements in visual ability, with face recognition and ADLs showing a tentative benefit of further use.[24] Overall, visual ability, reading, and visual information showed greatest benefit with device use.[24]

COVID-19 Response

Virtual webinar
Virtual webinar

On March 24, 2020, eSight launched #eSightTogether, a place for connection and support during the COVID-19 outbreak.[25] The #eSightTogether website contains a list of the most pertinent resources for people with visual impairments to stay informed about COVID-19 and access useful tools for managing daily life during this stressful time.[25] These tools include carefully curated low vision resources, at-home entertainment, and educational materials ideal for social distancing, and eSight coaches will also be holding virtual webinars bi-weekly.[25]

On April 9, 2020, eSight announced eSight Workplace, a full service COVID-19 compliant program that enables low vision employees to become productive in a non-touch, socially responsible way.[26] eSight Workplace provides an all-in-one electronic device in the form of an electronic vision device that brings all of an organization’s remotely accessible technology – including native applications – into the employee’s device screen that they can see and control.[26]

Partnerships

In December 2019, eSight partnered with Dell Technologies and Ballet Austin to gift 22 Austin, Texas residents with a pair of eSight glasses to witness the iconic Nutcracker ballet in a special live performance for the visually impaired.[27]

TELUS partnered with eSight in November 2019 to host eSight Experience Day at TELUS Vancouver, which highlighted the importance of accessibility for all, where people could book a 45 minute eSight experience to try on the eSight 3.[28]

In honour of World Sight Day 2019, eSight partnered with CNIB, to expand access of eSight 3 to individuals living with sight loss in Canada.[29] Over the next 12 months after the partnership was announced, the program was slated to expand to CNIB locations across Canada with training provided by both eSight and CNIB, in order to provide greater ease of access and training support for low vision Canadians.[29]

Awards

  • 2020 Global Impact Award Finalist - Sam Ifergan (Chairman of the Board at eSight), YPO[30]
  • 2019 Best Wearable Technology Solution, Health Tech Digital Awards[31]
  • 2019 Outstanding Product Achievement, CATA Gala[32]
  • 2018 Best Breakthrough Technology, 7th Annual Canadian Innovation Awards Winner[33]
  • 2018 One of Canada's Most Innovative Companies, Canadian Innovation Exchange Advisory Board[34]
  • 2018 George Alexander BAVF Corporate Volunteer Award, Blinded American Veterans Foundation[35]
  • 2017 The 25 Best Inventions in 2017, TIME Magazine[36]
  • 2017 Best Tech of 2017 So Far, TIME Magazine[37]
  • 2017 6 Inventions Changing British People's Lives In 2017, Buzzfeed News[38]
  • 2016 Chairman's Awards for Advancements in Accessibility, Federal Communications Commission USA[39]

References

  1. ↑ Andrews, Malika (5 January 2017). "Glasses from eSight help legally blind Colts fan see game for first time". Sports Illustrated. https://www.si.com/tech-media/2017/01/05/esight-glasses-legally-blind-indianapolis-colts-fan. Retrieved 2 September 2017. 
  2. ↑ "eSight: helping the legally blind see". InvestinOntario. 20 June 2017. https://www.investinontario.com/success-stories/esight-helping-legally-blind-see. Retrieved 2 September 2017. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Tech firm’s powerful vision brings sight to the legally blind". https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/tech-firms-powerful-vision-brings-sight-to-the-blind/article37605714/. 
  4. ↑ "Wearable technology expands mobility for visually impaired". Ophthalmology Times. 1 April 2016. http://ophthalmologytimes.modernmedicine.com/ophthalmologytimes/news/wearable-technology-expands-mobility-visually-impaired?page=0,0. Retrieved 2 September 2017. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Liedtke, Michael (24 February 2017). "Toronto company eSight helping the visually impaired see". The Globe and Mail. https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/toronto-company-esight-helping-the-visually-impaired-see/article34128766/. Retrieved 2 September 2017. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "New Wearable Breakthrough Announced: eSight 3 sets the gold standard for the most sophisticated low vision glasses of its kind anywhere in the world, enabling the legally blind to actually see, be mobile, and independently carry out virtually all Activities of Daily Living" (Press release). Market Wired. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Rains, Ben (6 August 2017). "eSight Helps Blind Man Watch Soccer Decades After Soccer Accident". Sport Techie. https://www.sporttechie.com/esight-helps-blind-watch-soccer-decades-accident/. Retrieved 2 September 2017. 
  8. ↑ "Electronic eyewear lets the visually impaired see" (in en-US). https://www.ept.ca/features/electronic-eyewear-lets-the-visually-impaired-see/. 
  9. ↑ "Electronic eyewear lets the visually impaired see" (in en-US). https://www.ept.ca/features/electronic-eyewear-lets-the-visually-impaired-see/. 
  10. ↑ "eSight drops price on electronic glasses for the visually impaired" (in en-CA). 2019-01-07. https://betakit.com/esight-significantly-drops-price-on-electronic-glasses-for-the-visually-impaired/. 
  11. ↑ "Electronic eyewear lets the visually impaired see" (in en-US). https://www.ept.ca/features/electronic-eyewear-lets-the-visually-impaired-see/. 
  12. ↑ "Electronic eyewear lets the visually impaired see" (in en-US). https://www.ept.ca/features/electronic-eyewear-lets-the-visually-impaired-see/. 
  13. ↑ "Electronic eyewear lets the visually impaired see" (in en-US). https://www.ept.ca/features/electronic-eyewear-lets-the-visually-impaired-see/. 
  14. ↑ "Electronic eyewear lets the visually impaired see" (in en-US). https://www.ept.ca/features/electronic-eyewear-lets-the-visually-impaired-see/. 
  15. ↑ "Electronic eyewear lets the visually impaired see" (in en-US). https://www.ept.ca/features/electronic-eyewear-lets-the-visually-impaired-see/. 
  16. ↑ "Electronic eyewear lets the visually impaired see" (in en-US). https://www.ept.ca/features/electronic-eyewear-lets-the-visually-impaired-see/. 
  17. ↑ "Electronic eyewear lets the visually impaired see" (in en-US). https://www.ept.ca/features/electronic-eyewear-lets-the-visually-impaired-see/. 
  18. ↑ "Electronic eyewear lets the visually impaired see" (in en-US). https://www.ept.ca/features/electronic-eyewear-lets-the-visually-impaired-see/. 
  19. ↑ "Electronic eyewear lets the visually impaired see" (in en-US). https://www.ept.ca/features/electronic-eyewear-lets-the-visually-impaired-see/. 
  20. ↑ "Electronic eyewear lets the visually impaired see" (in en-US). https://www.ept.ca/features/electronic-eyewear-lets-the-visually-impaired-see/. 
  21. ↑ "Electronic eyewear lets the visually impaired see" (in en-US). https://www.ept.ca/features/electronic-eyewear-lets-the-visually-impaired-see/. 
  22. ↑ "New VA-approved tech glasses could help a million blind and impaired veterans see" (in en-US). 2019-10-15. https://americanmilitarynews.com/2019/10/new-va-approved-tech-glasses-could-help-a-million-blind-and-impaired-veterans-see/. 
  23. ↑ "Bloomberg - Are you a robot?". https://www.bloomberg.com/tosv2.html?vid=&uuid=9f990c50-9b83-11ea-94f3-7d81affce496&url=L3ByZXNzLXJlbGVhc2VzLzIwMTktMTAtMTAvZXNpZ2h0LTMtYXBwcm92ZWQtb24tdGhlLXUtcy1kZXBhcnRtZW50LW9mLXZldGVyYW5zLWFmZmFpcnMtdmEtZmVkZXJhbC1zdXBwbHktc2NoZWR1bGU=. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Wittich, Walter; Lorenzini, Marie-Céline; Markowitz, Samuel N.; Tolentino, Michael; Gartner, Scott A.; Goldstein, Judith E.; Dagnelie, Gislin (September 2018). "The Effect of a Head-mounted Low Vision Device on Visual Function" (in en-US). Optometry and Vision Science 95 (9): 774–784. doi:10.1097/OPX.0000000000001262. ISSN 1538-9235. PMC 6133226. https://journals.lww.com/optvissci/Fulltext/2018/09000/The_Effect_of_a_Head_mounted_Low_Vision_Device_on.12.aspx. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 "eSight Eyewear Launches #eSightTogether, an Online Resource for the Low Vision Community, Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic" (in en-CA). 2020-03-25. https://www.cbj.ca/esight-eyewear-launches-esighttogether-an-online-resource-for-the-low-vision-community-amid-the-covid-19-pandemic/. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 "eSight Announces Corporate Low Vision Assistive Technology Program for Remote Employees" (in en-CA). 2020-04-13. https://www.cbj.ca/esight-announces-corporate-low-vision-assistive-technology-program-for-remote-employees/. 
  27. ↑ "The Assistive Tech Giving Sight to the Visually Impaired" (in en-US). 2020-01-22. https://www.delltechnologies.com/en-us/perspectives/the-assistive-tech-giving-sight-to-the-visually-impaired/. 
  28. ↑ "eSight Experience Day at TELUS Vancouver" (in en-us). https://www.eventbrite.com/e/78433222881?aff=efbneb. 
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "eSight and CNIB Announce National Partnership to Benefit Canadians with Sight Loss" (in en). https://cnib.ca/en/news/esight-and-cnib-announce-national-partnership-benefit-canadians-sight-loss. 
  30. ↑ "Vision Care Impact: 2 Global Leaders Helping Millions See Better" (in en-US). 2020-04-20. https://www.ypo.org/2020/04/two-global-business-leaders-bring-vision-care-to-millions/. 
  31. ↑ "Health Tech Digital Awards" (in en-GB). https://www.healthtechdigital.com/health-tech-digital-awards-2019-2/. 
  32. ↑ "Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance (CATAAlliance)". https://cata.ca/2019/esight-award/. 
  33. ↑ "Announcing the Winners of the Seventh Annual Canadian Innovation Awards" (in en-US). 2018-02-23. https://www.borndigital.com/2018/02/23/winners-of-the-seventh-annual-canadian-innovation-awards. 
  34. ↑ "CIX announces its top 20 innovative Canadian tech companies for 2018" (in en-CA). 2018-09-07. https://betakit.com/cix-announces-its-top-20-innovative-canadian-tech-companies-for-2018/. 
  35. ↑ "Flag Week 2018 – Blinded American Veterans Foundation" (in en-US). http://bavf.org/flag-week-2018/. 
  36. ↑ Staff, TIME. "The 25 Best Inventions of 2017" (in en-us). https://time.com/5023212/best-inventions-of-2017/. 
  37. ↑ Peckham, Alex Fitzpatrick, Lisa Eadicicco, John Patrick Pullen, Matt. "These Are the Best New Gadgets of 2017 So Far" (in en-us). https://time.com/4798400/best-technology-2017-so-far/. 
  38. ↑ Oakes, Kelly. "6 Inventions Changing British People's Lives In 2017" (in en). https://www.buzzfeed.com/kellyoakes/inventions-changing-british-peoples-lives-in-2017. 
  39. ↑ "2016 Chairman's Awards for Advancement in Accessibility" (in en). 2017-02-08. https://www.fcc.gov/2016-chairmans-awards-advancement-accessibility. 

External links



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