Talking bar code scanner

Life just got a whole lot easier for Australia’s vision impaired with the release of a portable talking bar code scanner.

Known as the ID Mate, the scanner can help the blind and low visioned at home, school or work — and even while doing the groceries.

The product uses omnidirectional technology to scan the bar code of an item.

Users can listen to spoken descriptions from the scanner’s database, which holds details of more than one million Australian bar code products.

Items not initially identified from the database can be added through user voice recording. The product also has had application for migrants to record information in their native tongues.

The bar code scanner can identify food, music, medicines, clothes and appliance instructions and can also be used for document retrieval.

Extra information and memos can be recorded, played and erased on the lightweight, easy-to-carry reader.