Lionel Messi gifts blind children “life-changing” devices worth thousands

Messi helping a child put on special glasses

The player is also meeting the youngsters face-to-face

Lionel Messi is heading up a campaign to help blind and visually impaired children, in conjunction with OrCam, a company that makes visual aids. The Barcelona forward is gifting several children pairs of an AI smart device called OrCam MyEye, which are each worth thousands, over the coming years.

Young children who receive the gifts will also be able to meet Messi in face-to-face meetings, once the coronavirus pandemic fades and such interactions become safer. Some of these meetings have already taken place, however, as can be seen in the following video:

Messi sent a blind 10-year-old Arsenal fan visual aids worth thousands. He is heading up a campaign to help visually impaired children. He will continue gifting these glasses to children in the coming years. Here is video of him meeting one such child:pic.twitter.com/f70MYCdIgm

— Luis Mazariegos (@luism8989) September 9, 2020

“It was clear that this would be a life-changing device for each of them. I am proud to be an OrCam Ambassador to truly make a difference for so many,” Messi is quoted as saying in a press release.

The device has several features which use AI to read text out loud or inform the wearer what is in front of them. It can recognize faces, colors, products. the denominations of money notes. Each device costs $4250.

”In the performance of daily activities, the device offers independence, providing users with critical support to better integrate into society, especially within employment and educational settings. This technology supports users in amplifying their inherent potential. We are convinced that this collaboration with Messi – who is the embodiment of maximizing potential, and an individual who is admired worldwide – will allow us to reach millions of people in need.” said Professor Amnon Shashua, co-founder and co-CEO of OrCam

Source: barcablaugranes.com