In 2016, China rolled out its first model of "smart glasses" for the visually impaired. The technology was the first of its kind to combine both navigation and recognition functions. CGTN's Zheng Yibing takes a look at how this cutting-edge medical tech is bringing the gift of sight to those in need.

This is Cai Dongyue. He was born blind. He's spent most of his life relying on a guiding walking stick, allowing him to feel out his surroundings. And though the tool has helped him reach new places, going out independently has always been an issue. But then came along Angel Eye – guiding technology for the visually impaired. Just as its name implies, this savior-like technology has changed Dongyue's life.

CAI DONGYUE "ANGEL EYE" USER "I still remember the first time I went out on my own. It was to go to college. Although I had Angel Eye, I still felt worried because I never tried to walk so far and transfer through so many buses. It took me more than two hours to finish the trip which just needs one hour in general, but I think it was a great success for me because I could go out without others' help."

Most people who are visually impaired rely on guide dogs and guide sticks to assist them in their daily routines and travels. But these state-of-the-art glasses are providing a new option.

CAI DONGYUE "ANGEL EYE" USER "The biggest difference between angel eye and a guide stick is that the detection range of a guide stick is quite limited. I can only detect a small radius in front of me on the ground, and I'm unable to know what obstacles are above me. If I take a guide dog with me, it is also inconvenient for me to go to some places, like some restaurants and parks, because dogs are not allowed to go inside."

ZHENG YIBING SHANGHAI "Wow, the device looks amazing. But how can it help the visually impaired? Now, let's test it to find out."

So how do these glasses actually work? Visual references or pictures are converted into audio files, so that users can identify what is around them through sound. Two tiny cameras which are mounted at the top of the glasses, scan objects in front of the user. Information is then transformed into digital data and is processed by the glasses. Finally, this information is turned into an audio file and is played back to the user through a bone conduction, describing what kind of objects are in the surrounding area.

The glasses also combine the functions of navigation and recognition, which can help a person read, identify money and colors. However, the glasses' capacity to recognize certain objects remains limited at its current stage of development.

FENG XINPENG, CEO & CO-FOUNDER NEXTVPU "The glasses at their current stage can only identify around forty objects due to computing power limitations, but as we improve that, the glasses will be able to identify five hundred, eight hundred or even a thousand objects. Safety is another factor which is being taken into account."

ZHENG YIBING SHANGHAI "Technology is shaping our world. For people like Cai Dongyue, this is one approach that reduces both mental and physical obstacles. This is worthy of attention from every member of society."

CAI DONGYUE "ANGEL EYE" USER "With the glasses, I have the courage to walk further and even go sightseeing in China and abroad. I had no idea about how the surrounding environment looked like. But angel eye can describe the environment to me through its recognition, and help me build up my imagination of what the world looks like."

Despite being in its early stages of development, Angel Eye has been a life changer for people like Cai Dongyue. But more importantly, it's helping them build self-confidence. Zheng Yibing, CGTN, Shanghai.