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Reminds of an app that's been on Android for quite a few(5?) years.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vOICe.vOICe&hl=en
You'll notice the the cleverness in the name v*OIC*e. It interpreted color variation, compass readings, and quite a few other tricks to contextualize the surrounding area. A sighted person could tape their lids shut and use it to navigate even unfamiliar territory.--A really great app.
*https://www.seeingwithsound.com/ creator's website Dr. Peter B.L. Meijer
You can learn more about The vOICe sensory substitution technology for the blind (as discussed in the article) at http://www.seeingwithsound.com as well as get it as a free Android app from Google Play at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vOICe.vOICe
The vOICe for Android offers a VR mode (though it's actually more like AR) for use with Google Cardboard compatible devices. Just swipe down on the main screen to toggle the VR mode. For blind users it offers an affordable means to master sensory substitution until suitable and stylish augmented reality glasses become widely available. Sighted users can use it to experience the close correspondence between live camera views and live synthesized soundscapes. A combination with Google Tango type of devices for explicit depth mapping could further support obstacle detection.
Right, The vOICe for Android app is on Google Play at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vOICe.vOICe and you can even run it on smart glasses http://www.seeingwithsound.com/android-glasses.htm Indeed is not about echolocation but instead uses truly visual input from the camera.
The camera glasses are described in more detail at http://www.seeingwithsound.com/camera_glasses.htm, while The vOICe for Windows software for use with these glasses is available from http://www.seeingwithsound.com/winvoice.htm
There is also The vOICe for Android, available from Google Play at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vOICe.vOICe and described in more detail at http://www.seeingwithsound.com/android.htm
Reminds me of this android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vOICe.vOICe
The vOICe for Android on Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vOICe.vOICe and more info at http://www.seeingwithsound.com/android.htm with use of sub-$200 Android smart glasses discussed at http://www.seeingwithsound.com/android-glasses.htm
Thanks. The latest Android version of The vOICe sensory substitution software is available from Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vOICe.vOICe