Solutions based on Google Glass can help people with autism in India

The eye-wearable device, Google Glass, made headlines in 2015, but failed in the consumer technology space. Now, it has raised hopes for millions of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) around the world, including in India.

There are over 10 million people in India with autism and experts believe that wearable computers, powered by Augmented Reality (AR),can help people with autism feel confident, and socially integrated.

While there is no cure for autism, early diagnosis and intervention with therapies improves long-term outcomes.

Brain Power, the company behind Google Glass, is working with several schools in the United States. Called Empower Me, the wearable system has been used by hundreds of children and adults on the autism spectrum.

The child or adult wears light, computerised Glasses and sees and hears special feedback geared to the situation. The apps also encourage them to make eye contact and control repetitive behaviours, which are major challenges related to autism.

Kids look at these wearable devices as fun and are facing no problem using them. Each software module connects to a portal hosted by Brain Power’s Cloud. Here Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms produce insights and predictions in real time.

The game-like apps collect numerical behavioural data and present the child, family, school or clinic with insights and answers they can readily understand.

The experts behind the technology believe that Indian schools and organisations working in the field of autism will come forward to a life-changing experience.

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