6 by 6 – BarrierBreak’s amazing new app helps visually impaired people identify currency

Visually impaired people face a lot of challenges when they use currency notes, particularly the new rupee notes launched after demonetisation.

The dimensions of the new notes and lack of accessible features makes it difficult to make out the difference between notes.

That is no longer the case because Barrierbreak’s new app, 6 by 6, can help them identify the value of the currency notes.

6 by 6, says Shilpi Kapoor, founder of Barrierbreak, has been designed keeping in mind the needs of people who are visually impaired.

Our innovation team is actively involved in designing new ways to find solutions to the various challenges that people with disabilities are facing and are now focusing on AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) to improve the lives of people with disabilities. 6 by 6 app aims to make life easier and independent for people with visual impairment. Its available for free and includes 3 tools – currency detector, light detector and magnifier. Like every startup we look forward for your feedback to better the experience – Shilpi Kapoor, Founder, BarrierBreak

The app is free for use and is currently available on Android.

6 by 6 has three amazing tools, Currency Detector, Light Detector and Magnifier.

Here are some useful details about these tools.

Currency Detector

This identifies the currency you are holding and speaks out its value or denomination. The app currently supports the Indian Rupee.

How to use the Currency Detector

– Hold the Currency between 5-6 inches from the phone.

– Place the Currency on an even surface or in a straight position in your palm.

– Tap on the screen to get an accurate prediction.

It is as simple as that!

Light Detector

This is useful to identify if there is light around you and its intensity. The tool tells you if the light in the room is ON or not.

How to use the Light Detector

– Select Tap on the screen and it will identify the intensity of light around you.

– The phone will vibrate when you are very close to the light source.

– Just make sure that the proximity sensor located on the top of your device near the front camera is not covered while using the tool.

Isn’t that a cool feature!

Magnifier

Often people with low vision face the challenge of reading text that is too small or lightly printed. This could be a menu at a restaurant or the name on a medication.

The Magnifier tool solves this problem. It makes your phone a magnifier that you can use anytime, anywhere.

How to use the Magnifier

– To use the Magnifier, you can zoom in and magnify by just increasing or decreasing the slider.

– To freeze the camera at a text, tap on the button which says ‘Freeze’. This will give you a snapshot image of the currently focused camera output.

– Once you’re done and need to go back to the live camera output, click on the button ‘Live’.

The app is sure to make day-to-day life easier for people who are blind or have low vision.

So, what are you waiting for!! Download the free app from the Playstore to get a firsthand experience of this amazing assistive tool.

ALSO READ: With Braille business cards, BarrierBreak makes a case for workplace inclusion

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