TED@IBM
Chieko Asakawa: How new technology helps blind people explore the world
淺川智惠子: 盲人科技，走訪人間
Filmed:
Readability: 4.1
1,390,823 views
科技如何幫助我們改善生活品質？沒有了視覺，我們能夠如何行於人間？IBM發明家淺川智惠子在14歲雙眼失明，不斷尋找這些問題的答案。在一段魔法般的的演示視頻中她很自豪的向我們展示一些新穎的技術，幫助盲人更自由地探索世界。她說有了更便利的設計，對任何人都有益。
Chieko Asakawa - Visionary inventor
Dr. Chieko Asakawa invents technology to make the visually impaired more independent. Full bio
Dr. Chieko Asakawa invents technology to make the visually impaired more independent. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:20
You might think there are
many things that I can't do
many things that I can't do
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或許你認為很多事我不能做,
00:23
because I cannot see.
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因為我失去了雙眼.
00:26
That's largely true.
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這並非完全正確.
00:27
Actually, I just needed
to have a bit of help
to have a bit of help
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事實上只要一點幫忙
00:30
to come up to the stage.
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我就能走上台.
00:32
But there is also a lot that I can do.
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我能做的還有很多.
00:35
This is me rock climbing
for the first time.
for the first time.
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這是我第一次攀岩.
00:39
Actually, I love sports
and I can play many sports,
and I can play many sports,
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事實上我喜歡運動，
還會很多種：
還會很多種：
00:43
like swimming, skiing, skating,
scuba diving, running and so on.
scuba diving, running and so on.
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像游泳、滑雪、溜冰、
潛水和跑步等等.
潛水和跑步等等.
00:49
But there is one limitation:
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但這是有條件的:
00:52
somebody needs to help me.
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需要有人協助我.
00:54
I want to be independent.
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所以我想靠我自己.
00:57
I lost my sight at the age of 14
in a swimming pool accident.
in a swimming pool accident.
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在我14歲時，
游泳意外使我雙眼失明.
游泳意外使我雙眼失明.
01:02
I was an active, independent teenager,
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那時的我是積極獨立的孩子,
01:05
and suddenly I became blind.
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突然間我看不見了.
01:08
The hardest thing for me
was losing my independence.
was losing my independence.
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失去自主能力讓我苦不堪言.
01:13
Things that until then seemed simple
became almost impossible to do alone.
became almost impossible to do alone.
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看似簡單的事情
到後來卻無法自己完成.
到後來卻無法自己完成.
01:19
For example, one of my
challenges was textbooks.
challenges was textbooks.
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例如，其中一項挑戰是
閱讀教科書.
閱讀教科書.
01:24
Back then, there were no
personal computers,
personal computers,
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當時沒有電腦,
01:26
no Internet, no smartphones.
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沒有網路，沒有智慧型手機.
01:29
So I had to ask one of my two brothers
to read me textbooks,
to read me textbooks,
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我必須請親人幫我
唸出教科書的內容.
唸出教科書的內容.
01:34
and I had to create
my own books in Braille.
my own books in Braille.
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然後自己用點字法一一標注.
01:38
Can you imagine?
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你能想像嗎?
01:40
Of course, my brothers
were not happy about it,
were not happy about it,
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他們當然很不情願,
01:43
and later, I noticed they were not there
whenever I needed them.
whenever I needed them.
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到後來我發現我在需要他們時
他們卻"消失"了.
他們卻"消失"了.
01:47
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
01:48
I think they tried to stay away from me.
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我覺得他們想離我遠一點,
01:52
I don't blame them.
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我不怪他們.
01:54
I really wanted to be freed
from relying on someone.
from relying on someone.
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我真的不想再依靠任何人.
01:59
That became my strong desire
to ignite innovation.
to ignite innovation.
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這讓我有強烈的慾望想要創新.
02:04
Jump ahead to the mid-1980s.
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往前回到80年代中期.
02:06
I got to know cutting-edge technologies
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當時我想要了解尖端科技
02:09
and I thought to myself,
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我自己就想
02:11
how come there is no computer technology
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怎麼沒有用電腦科技
02:15
to create books in Braille?
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創造出的點字電子書?
02:18
These amazing technologies
must be able to also help people
must be able to also help people
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這些驚人的技術
一定也能幫助
一定也能幫助
02:22
with limitations like myself.
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像我一樣有缺陷的人.
02:25
That's the moment
my innovation journey began.
my innovation journey began.
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從那時候開始
我決定要創新技術.
我決定要創新技術.
02:30
I started developing
digital book technologies,
digital book technologies,
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我著手研發電子書技術,
02:34
such as a digital Braille editor,
digital Braille dictionary
digital Braille dictionary
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例如，點字電子編輯器，
點字電子詞典,
點字電子詞典,
02:39
and a digital Braille library network.
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點字電子圖書網.
02:43
Today, every student who is visually
impaired can read textbooks,
impaired can read textbooks,
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現在視障的學生能夠閱讀教科書,
02:47
by using personal computers
and mobile devices,
and mobile devices,
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藉由電腦和行動裝置的使用,
02:51
in Braille or in voice.
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透過點字, 或者聲音.
02:53
This may not surprise you,
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這對你並不陌生,
02:56
since everyone now has digital books
in their tablets in 2015.
in their tablets in 2015.
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2015年大家的電腦設備裡都有電子書了.
03:01
But Braille went digital
many years before digital books,
many years before digital books,
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不過點字法好幾年前就數位化了,
03:07
already in the late 1980s,
almost 30 years ago.
almost 30 years ago.
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出現於80年代後期，
大約30年前.
大約30年前.
03:13
Strong and specific needs
of the blind people
of the blind people
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盲人的需求很強烈且獨特,
03:17
made this opportunity to create
digital books way back then.
digital books way back then.
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使得過去才有機會創造電子書.
03:23
And this is actually not
the first time this happened,
the first time this happened,
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事實上這已經不是第一次,
03:28
because history shows us
accessibility ignites innovation.
accessibility ignites innovation.
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因為從歷史來看便利即發明.
03:35
The telephone was invented
while developing a communication tool
while developing a communication tool
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發展聽障溝通器材時電話誕生了.
03:39
for hearing impaired people.
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03:41
Some keyboards were also invented
to help people with disabilities.
to help people with disabilities.
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有些鍵盤也出現來幫助人的不便.
03:48
Now I'm going to give you
another example from my own life.
another example from my own life.
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我現在要告訴你我生活中另外個例子.
03:52
In the '90s, people around me
started talking about the Internet
started talking about the Internet
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90年代開始有人談論網路和網頁瀏覽.
03:56
and web browsing.
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03:58
I remember the first time
I went on the web.
I went on the web.
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我記得初次上網的時候,
04:02
I was astonished.
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我大吃一驚.
04:04
I could access newspapers
at any time and every day.
at any time and every day.
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我每天隨時可以閱讀報紙,
04:08
I could even search
for any information by myself.
for any information by myself.
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我甚至可以自己找資料,
04:13
I desperately wanted to help the blind
people have access to the Internet,
people have access to the Internet,
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我真想幫助盲人們,
讓他們能可以使用網路,
讓他們能可以使用網路,
04:19
and I found ways to render the web
into synthesized voice,
into synthesized voice,
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後來我發現把網頁轉為合成語音的方法,
04:24
which dramatically simplified
the user interface.
the user interface.
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也大幅簡化使用者的介面.
04:28
This led me to develop
the Home Page Reader in 1997,
the Home Page Reader in 1997,
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促使我在1997年創立了頁面閱讀器,
04:34
first in Japanese and later,
translated into 11 languages.
translated into 11 languages.
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起初只有日語，後來譯成11種語言.
04:39
When I developed the Home Page Reader,
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我在建立頁面閱讀器的時候,
04:42
I got many comments from users.
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收到許多使用者回應
04:45
One that I strongly remember said,
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有一個我記得很清楚說,
04:49
"For me, the Internet
is a small window to the world."
is a small window to the world."
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『網路是我通往世界的一小扇窗. 』
04:55
It was a revolutionary moment
for the blind.
for the blind.
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那真是盲人大變革時期.
04:59
The cyber world became accessible,
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網路世界垂手可得,
05:01
and this technology that we created
for the blind has many uses,
for the blind has many uses,
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我們創造給盲人的科技用途很廣,
05:06
way beyond what I imagined.
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超乎我的想像.
05:08
It can help drivers listen to their emails
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它能夠協助司機用耳聽讀電子郵件,
05:12
or it can help you listen
to a recipe while cooking.
to a recipe while cooking.
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還協助你炒菜時用耳聽讀食譜,
05:18
Today, I am more independent,
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如今我更獨立了,
05:20
but it is still not enough.
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但這仍然不夠.
05:23
For example, when I approached
the stage just now, I needed assistance.
the stage just now, I needed assistance.
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譬如我剛上台時需要協助.
05:30
My goal is to come up here independently.
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我的目標是自己上來這裡.
05:34
And not just here.
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而且還不只是這裡.
05:35
My goal is to be able to travel
and do things that are simple to you.
and do things that are simple to you.
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我的目標是能夠自己出遊,
做一些你覺得簡單的事.
做一些你覺得簡單的事.
05:42
OK, now let me show you
the latest technologies.
the latest technologies.
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來吧！現在讓我介紹最新科技.
05:45
This is a smartphone app
that we are working on.
that we are working on.
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這是我們研究中的智慧型手機app.
05:50
(Video) Electronic voice: 51 feet
to the door, and keep straight.
to the door, and keep straight.
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（影音）電子音：
『約15公尺抵達門邊，繼續直行』
『約15公尺抵達門邊，繼續直行』
05:57
EV: Take the two doors to go out.
The door is on your right.
The door is on your right.
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電子音：『開門出去，門在你的右邊』
06:07
EV: Nick is approaching. Looks so happy.
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電子音：
『尼克接近中，看起來很開心』
『尼克接近中，看起來很開心』
06:09
Chieko Asakawa: Hi, Nick!
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淺川：『嗨，尼克！』
06:10
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
06:11
CA: Where are you going?
You look so happy.
You look so happy.
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淺川：『你要去哪？這麼開心』
06:14
Nick: Oh -- well, my paper
just got accepted.
just got accepted.
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尼克：『喔，我的報告剛受到認可』
06:16
CA: That's great! Congratulations.
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淺川：『好棒哦！恭喜啊！』
06:17
Nick: Thanks. Wait -- how'd you know
it was me, and that I look happy?
it was me, and that I look happy?
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尼克：『謝啦！等下...
你怎麼知道我很開心？』
你怎麼知道我很開心？』
06:21
(Chieko and Nick laugh)
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（淺川和尼克笑聲）
06:22
Man: Hi.
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路人：『嗨！』
06:24
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
06:25
CA: Oh ... hi.
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淺川：『喔...嗨！』
06:27
EV: He is not talking to you,
but on his phone.
but on his phone.
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電子音：
『他不是跟你說話，是在講電話』
『他不是跟你說話，是在講電話』
06:36
EV: Potato chips.
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電子音：『洋芋片』
06:45
EV: Dark chocolate with almonds.
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電子音：『杏仁黑巧克力』
06:48
EV: You gained 5 pounds since yesterday;
take apple instead of chocolate.
take apple instead of chocolate.
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電子音：『自從昨天你胖了
1公斤，不要巧克力吃蘋果』
1公斤，不要巧克力吃蘋果』
06:51
(Laughter)
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（笑聲）
06:54
EV: Approaching.
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電子音：『接近中』
07:00
EV: You arrived.
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電子音：『你到了』
07:02
CA: Now ...
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淺川：『現在...』
07:04
(Applause)
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（掌聲）
07:08
Thank you.
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謝謝各位.
07:09
So now the app navigates me
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所以現在app給我指引,
07:12
by analyzing beacon signals
and smartphone sensors
and smartphone sensors
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藉由分析無線信號及手機感測,
07:16
and permits me to move around
indoor and outdoor environments
indoor and outdoor environments
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允許我在任何環境走動,
07:21
all by myself.
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這全都靠我自己.
07:23
But the computer vision part
that showed who is approaching,
that showed who is approaching,
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但電腦視覺的部分:
說明誰在接近,
說明誰在接近,
07:27
in which mood -- we are still
working on that part.
working on that part.
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以及心情狀態...我們仍在研究中.
07:32
And recognizing facial expressions
is very important for me to be social.
is very important for me to be social.
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臉部表情辨識非常重要,
對我來說可以用來社交.
對我來說可以用來社交.
07:39
So now the fusions of technologies
are ready to help me
are ready to help me
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所以各種科技已經準備好幫我
07:45
see the real world.
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了解真實的世界.
07:47
We call this cognitive assistance.
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我們稱之為感知輔助.
07:51
It understands our surrounding world
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它能了解我們周遭的環境,
07:55
and whispers to me in voice
or sends a vibration to my fingers.
or sends a vibration to my fingers.
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跟我小聲講話或振動我的手指.
08:02
Cognitive assistance will augment
missing or weakened abilities --
missing or weakened abilities --
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感知輔助將彌補我們的缺陷--
08:08
in other words, our five senses.
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也就是我們的五種感覺.
08:11
This technology is only in an early stage,
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這科技仍在初期開發階段,
08:14
but eventually, I'll be able to find
a classroom on campus,
a classroom on campus,
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不過以後我能夠找到校園裡的教室,
08:19
enjoy window shopping
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盡情享受逛街的樂趣,
08:21
or find a nice restaurant
while walking along a street.
while walking along a street.
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走在街上可以發掘不錯的餐廳.
08:26
It will be amazing if I can find you
on the street before you notice me.
on the street before you notice me.
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驚訝的是在你發現之前我先認出你.
08:31
It will become my best buddy, and yours.
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它會是你我最佳的夥伴.
08:36
So, this really is a great challenge.
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所以這真是一大挑戰.
08:40
It is a challenge
that needs collaboration,
that needs collaboration,
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是需要合作才能完成的挑戰,
08:44
which is why we are creating
an open community
an open community
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這就是為何我們建立開放式社群,
08:47
to accelerate research activities.
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來加快研究的腳步.
08:51
Just this morning, we announced
the open-source fundamental technologies
the open-source fundamental technologies
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今早我們剛開放你方才在影片中
所看到的基本技術的資源.
所看到的基本技術的資源.
08:56
you just saw in the video.
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今早我們剛開放你方才在影片中
所看到的基本技術的資源.
所看到的基本技術的資源.
此項科技的尖端就在於真實世界.
08:58
The frontier is the real world.
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09:01
The blind community is exploring
this technical frontier
this technical frontier
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盲人們是先驅者, 正探索著這項尖端科技的前沿.
09:06
and the pathfinder.
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09:08
I hope to work with you
to explore the new era,
to explore the new era,
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我希望與你開拓新紀元,
09:12
and the next time that I'm on this stage,
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下次在這台上,
09:15
through technology and innovation,
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透過技術與創新,
09:17
I will be able to walk up here
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我能夠自己走上來這裡,
09:19
all by myself.
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全靠我自己.
09:21
Thank you so much.
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感謝各位.
09:22
(Applause)
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（掌聲）
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Chieko Asakawa - Visionary inventorDr. Chieko Asakawa invents technology to make the visually impaired more independent.
Why you should listen
Dr. Chieko Asakawa is an IBM Fellow who has been instrumental in furthering accessibility research and development for the past three decades. Challenging thinking on visually impaired technology usage, she leads the development in advancing web accessibility including digital Braille and voice browsers.
The government of Japan awarded the 2013 Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon to Dr. Asakawa for her outstanding contributions to accessibility research, including the development of a voice browser for the visually impaired. Today, with Carnegie Mellon University, she is working on how accessibility technologies can play a key role in the real world to help create opportunities for more people to actively participate in the society.
Chieko Asakawa | Speaker | TED.com