Siafu to Unleash Computing for the Visually Impaired

The Siafu concept is designed to allow visually impaired people to enjoy an intuitive computing experience. The technology is currently being developed, but, when fully baked, promises to give impaired persons access into the digital world.

The technology behind the Siafu computer is based on a tablet-flat touch-sensitive surface filled with a conceptual magnetized liquid, called Magneclay. According to the project specifications, the material has the ability to morph upward into any shape via a controlled electromagnetic field, thus creating reading materials in the form of braille, accompanied by three-dimensionally-rendered images.

The key element in building the visually-impaired-friendly computer is the Magneclay compound, an oil based synthetic agent that has extended morphing capabilities. The liquid has a loose molecular structure, that allows it to take an infinite number of physical transformations when electrical and magnetic currents are acting upon its molecules. The Magneclay preserves its initial shape as long as the charges acting upon it remain stable, thus allowing the user to touch its surface without deforming it.

The computer is designed to include a 9-button braille keyboard that would allow visually-impaired users to input text. Should the text require reviewing, users can read it by sliding their hands over the tablet’s morphing "display". The computer will also come with a built-in microphone that can be used with the computer's built-in voice-recognition software.

The computer can also render in a bas-relief either complete webpages or other multimedia content. More than that, it can automatically convert the active text on the screen into braille characters. The device will be using 2-D to 3-D image conversion technology to process the images displayed on the "screen", then generate a 3D digital wireframe ready to be injected into the Magneclay as electrical impulse.

If the Siafu PC seems too good to be true, you're not wrong at all: it is currently a work in progress with no disclosed availability date. There are many obstacles that need overcoming before achieving it, such as the production of Magneclay, but science can perform quite some impressive miracles.

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