New smartpen to assist blind students

NASHVILLE, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists are developing a "smartpen" that will soon be available to help blind students learn science, technology, engineering and math.

Andy Van Schaack, a Vanderbilt University lecturer, and Joshua Miele, a blind researcher at the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, have received a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to develop the new smartpen tool created by technology company Livescribe Inc. Van Schaack is Livescribe's senior science adviser.

The smartpen recognizes handwritten marks through a camera inside its tip. It can also capture more than 100 hours of audio through a built-in microphone and plays audio through a built-in speaker or 3D recording headset. Files are uploaded from the pen to a computer using a USB connection.

"It will allow (college students) to spend more time listening in class while taking more of an outline form of notes," said Van Schaack. "Later, when they are reviewing their handwritten notes, they can tap within them to hear what the professor was saying when they wrote a particular note …"

The smartpen is expected to be available early next year at a cost of less than $200.