AI-Powered Robotic Sensor Reads Braille at Double Human Speed

The University of Cambridge researchers' breakthrough could lead to the development of robot hands or prosthetics with human-like sensitivity.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a robotic sensor that uses artificial intelligence to read braille at speeds roughly double that of most human readers, achieving 315 words per minute with close to 90% accuracy.
The robotic sensor incorporates a camera in its 'fingertip', and uses a combination of the information from the camera and the sensors to read braille.
The team developed machine learning algorithms that enable the robotic reader to 'deblur' the images before attempting to recognize the braille letters.
The research was not developed as an assistive technology, but the high sensitivity required to read braille makes it an ideal test in the development of robot hands or prosthetics with comparable sensitivity to human fingertips.
The researchers hope to scale the technology to the size of a humanoid hand or skin in the future.