“HANDS ON SEARCH” BY YAHOO JAPAN

A 3D printer connected to the online “search” function

Yahoo! Japan has designed something special for people with visual disabilities: the “Hands on Search” machine, a little gem when it gets to proving the utility of the Internet, in everyday life. Accepting the fact that the Internet is about vision and sounds, the “Hands on Search” system permits to involve a third sense: touching. Basically, Yahoo! Japan manufactured a 3D printer connected to the “search” function, delivering solid objects corresponding to the search made. The visually impaired will just have to name the item they wish to search, in order to touch it. Voice recognition will process the inquiry before sending collected data to the printer, for almost instant treatment. If the search is linked to no 3D data, an add to have someone create the object is posted by Yahoo! Name, search, touch. Seems so easy yet so impressive and helpful. A futuristic vision of the Internet bringing joy to all users.