Meta A.I. glasses helping blind vet
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – A blind veteran said new technology has helped him get his vision back. NEWS10 ABC’s Carina Dominguez visited him at his home to see how that technology has changed his life.
Meta AI Glasses are helping a retired veteran see again. George Knauer has been blind for 23 years and he said these glasses are giving him his freedom back.
He’ll ask what’s in front of him. The glasses take a snapshot and describe to him in his ear, “the person is wearing a white sweater and dark colored pants.”
He explained, “You can make a phone call with them, you can send a text message. I was able to look at you and my glasses told me what you are wearing,” said Knauer, of his new glasses. “This is the closest I will ever get to see.”
Knauer was an engineer and served in Europe from 1966-1969. After that he was a plumber for 50 years and owned his own business.
In 2002 he had a stroke, got sepsis and was in a coma for almost four months. When he woke up, he could see for a matter of seconds before the lights went out. Devastated at home, he said, a miracle happened. His toilet leaked.
“I got on my hands and knees. The bolt that holds the toilet bowl to the tank…I was not going to call another plumber to fix my toilet. I made it out to my truck. I got my repair kit and that was a turning point to say, ‘You can beat this’,” said Knauer.
He was determined to continue his work but this time as a blind plumber. In December, he visited the Lyons V.A. Medical Center in New Jersey. It’s one of only 13 V.A.'s with a blind center. He went for a new computer when he got the surprise of a lifetime, the Meta AI glasses and the gift of sight.
“Hey meta, look and see.. Tell me what you see,” said Knauer. The glasses respond, “I see a person sitting in front of various framed items. I see another person standing behind them.”
He described the first time he wore them out at a restaurant.
“It was like an out of body experience. It was just so unreal to be able to sit down like an ordinary person. Read the menu and order what Iwant,” said Knauer.
He said that day he was able to read a menu, again, and it was hard for him to wrap his head around. He read the menu five times. And he said there’s another perk.
“From what I understand they’re sharp looking glasses,” said Knauer. “You feel more normal walking into a store or walking into a restaurant.”
He said it’s another level of independence he didn't have before. “You didn’t quite get your eyes back but you’re halfway there,” said Knauer. He hopes his story can help others like him.
“I joke, I watched the movie, I just didn’t get to see the ending,” said Knauer.