TAVIP Masterclass: Bristol Braille and The Canute Scientific

In this Masterclass Ed Rogers from Bristol Braille talks about the development and launch of the Canute Scientific.

The inspiration behind the Canute Scientific has been to develop a machine which will empower blind people studying or working in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM subjects).

Incorporating a 360-cell refreshable Braille display (9 × 40 cells) with a 13-inch synchronized visual monitor, the Canute Scientific enables blind and sighted users to collaborate equally on technical content.

As an evolution of their Canute Console, the Canute Scientific has a faster processor, new system board, thinner and lighter chassis and is built with improved production processes. It also has a lot more in the way of connectivity options, allowing people to work on various hardware projects and a suite of custom applications to work with various forms of data and schematics.

As with their other devices, this was built with feedback and testing by Braille readers.

Ed talks about the design concept, the product details, and how it will be able to help people studying or working in technical career roles.

Background to Bristol Braille

Whilst there have been efforts to develop more affordable single line displays, multiline Braille has typically been beyond the reach of most Braille readers, with devices costing into multiple thousands. This is despite the obvious advantages for productivity and greater context awareness that multiline Braille offers.

To try answering this, Ed rogers founded Bristol Braille with the mission to bring an affordable multi line Braille display to the market.

Since inception, Bristol Braille Technology has worked closely with Braille readers to test and develop their innovative solutions. They created the award winning world’s first affordable multiline Braille display, the Canute 360, releasing it in 2019. This followed many iterations and hands on feedback from Braille readers both in Bristol and beyond.

The Canute 360 display was followed by the Canute Console, a stand alone multi line Braille workstation. The console combined the 9 line Braille display with a high contrast visual HD monitor meaning both blind Braille readers and sighted colleagues could view the same information simultaneously.

Their machines are designed and built in the UK at their Bristol based workshop, which also hosts regular Braille Space events. These offer opportunities for people to try out the equipment and share ideas with likeminded folk.