Christchurch company launches computer for the blind

8:20 AM

A computer for the blind developed by a Christchurch company is being officially launched this weekend.

Pulse Data International has already exported more than $750,000 worth of the computers, known as Braillenote.

The computers come in two models, costing $7,600 and $11,800. The company is developing two more versions which have synthesised speech only and will cost around $4,000.

Company spokesman Dr Russell Smith says the Windows-based portable computer allows blind people to read and write e-mails and documents, and to surf the web.

He says the world-first makes life for a blind person easier, as the computer is compatible with the regular computers.

Dr Smith says the locally-made product has been in the international limelight. It has been presented to American presidency candidate Al Gore, and blind singer Stevie Wonder has purchased one of the computers.

- IRN

Pulse Data International

Braillenote