A Wearable Face Recognition System Built into a Smartwatch and the Blind and Low Vision Users

Assistive technologies need to be affordable, ergonomic and easy to use. In this work we argue that smartwatches could be assistive devices for the visually impaired, if they have the potential to run complex applications. Hence, in this paper we propose a face recognition system to show that it’s technically possible to develop a real-time computer vision system in a wearable device with limited hardware, since such systems generally require powerful hardware. A case study is presented using the first generation Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch. The system runs only on the watch’s hardware and consists in a face detection and recognition software that emits an audio feedback so that visually impaired users know who is around them. The case study includes an evaluation of the proposal with users. Results are shown and discussed validating the technological aspects of the proposal and pointing out room for improving the aspects of interaction.