Novartis Introduces ViaOpta App Features for Visually Impaired People

Swiss devicemaker Novartis has unveiled new features for its ViaOpta application, software that provides navigation for the visually impaired.

The app can now define points of interest nearby and detect accessibility facilities, expand map coverage, identify objects in the user’s field of vision, and use voiceover to let users know what is front of them, the company said Tuesday.

The product is to be used with wearable devices such as the Apple Watch and Android Wear, as well as smartphones, and is available in several languages.

More than 285 million people live with vision impairment and blindness worldwide. — Jason Scott