3D Printing Opportunities for the Visually Impaired

A British company called OwnFone is developing a mobile phone for the blind. Their method of rolling out the product constitutes a 3D printing opportunities for the visually impaired.

One of the great advantages of 3D printing is that allows rapid prototyping to create products for a niche market. It also allows for customization of existing products for individual needs. Thus it is with the mobile phone that OwnFone is marketing for the visually impaired.

Hitherto developing products for niche markets such as the visually impaired has been often prohibitively expensive. Very often products like mobile phones for the visually impaired are just not available.

3D printing has changed all of that. For 60 British pounds, about $100, a blind or visually impaired person can have the names and phone numbers of his or her most frequent contacts entered on the OwnFone website. Then a custom made phone will be printed out with that contact information rendered in braille on speed dial buttons on the front.

Those who have some sight can have the same information in raised text, images, or large print. The mobile phones thus created are pretty basic, with six buttons, one for answer, one for hang up, and the four speed dial buttons. If a contact changes his or her number, the contact can enter that change in instantly. Changing a contact garners a 10 pound fee.

The OwnFone for the visually impaired is currently sold only in the United Kingdom and by all accounts it is selling briskly. The company is planning a crowd funding campaign to expand its service internationally in the near future.