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Imagine
a world where you couldn't see any colour, and where oranges were
grey and red peppers were an even darker grey.
Well for many who are colour blind - whether partially or fully -
that is their reality.
But that is about to change, thanks to a new invention from a Plymouth
inventor.
Adam Montandon has used computer technology to produce a device called
an Eye-Borg, which enables people to hear the sound of a colour.
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| Adam
Montandon |
For example,
blue creates a high sound, while red creates a low sound.
Neil
Harbisson, an art student from Spain who is based in Dartington,
South Devon, is the first person in the country to be equipped with
the device.
He suffers from total colour blindness, so for him the device is
especially useful. Being
an artist and a musician, visuals and sounds are very important
to Neil.
When he first got the device he often spent an hour in the fruit
or flower section of a supermarket - just so he could experience
for the first time the sound of the vibrant colours.
The
Eye-Borg consists of a digital camera and a backpack which contains
the computer and headset for Neil to listen to colours.
Neil said: "It has completely changed the way I see the world
and the way I perceive things. Everything has an extra layer.
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| Neil
can now identify the colour of fruit and veg |
"I
can go out and buy red peppers now, which I couldn't do before -
I had to ask."
Eventually, Adam hopes to produce a miniature version, maybe shrinking
it to the size of a mobile phone or eye glasses.
The
device has all sorts of uses - from the electrician who is colour
blind, to the artist who wants to explore a new and exciting world
of colour and sound.
Between Adam and Neil, they both hope to improve and advance the
Eye-Borg so it is more accurate and sophisticated.
Article
published: 19th January 2005
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