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Augmented reality glasses with a camera allow for real-time image processing as needed for generating augmented reality (AR) overlays that are not just based on GPS location sensors and orientation sensors, but that really take the user's visual environment into account. Camera glasses also allow for unobtrusive indoor mapping, analogous to Google Streetview and Microsoft Streetside Photos, the latter explored by Microsoft for Bing Maps in combination with its real-time Photosynth image-stitching technology.

Apart from AR and mapping applications for the sighted masses, this then also enables providing live visual input to the blind for augmented vision purposes, be it through corresponding auditory stimulation (The vOICe) or tactile stimulation, or through implanted electrodes as with retinal implants and cortical implants.

The vOICe vision technology for the blind is in principle best used with unobtrusive video sunglasses - dark glasses featuring a hidden camera, also known as spy glasses - that can be connected directly to a PC's USB port for both the video signal and the camera's power supply (just like one would use a regular plug-and-play USB webcam or PC camera), or that use a Bluetooth wireless connection and a battery in the glasses. A suitable viewing angle is on the order of 90-135 degrees horizontal. Dark glasses will often be preferred over uncolored glasses by those blind users whose eye condition affects appearance. Low cost is important too, while options for stereo vision through a dual camera setup hidden inside sunglasses would be desirable as long as depth imaging sensors prove too costly, power consuming or inadequate under broad daylight conditions.

The legs of the glasses in the assembly shown on this page also contain tiny hidden microphones for giving speech commands. Depending on the choice of image sensor, the same wearable setup could also be used for night vision (with light amplification), infrared vision (e.g., thermal imaging using microbolometer infrared imaging arrays, for easier detection of other people from their typically high temperature contrast), ultraviolet vision, UWB radar imaging, or other special uses, including sensor fusion. Accelerometers may be added for easier or more accurate motion detection. For third-party vendors of various components for wearable and fully immersive use of The vOICe, see the third-party suppliers page.

Early solutions involved use of sunglasses that contain a tiny analog covert camera or surveillance camera with the inconvenience of a separate battery pack, USB video capture device, and extra (fragile) wires, although there existed possibilities for easy assembly of a convenient and affordable USB power supply for video sunglasses. Depending on the type of video sunglasses, one had to change settings of the video capture device for PAL versus NTSC, and composite video versus S-video. The older information about various options for analog video sunglasses and supporting hardware has now been removed from this page as it is considered mostly obsolete with the advent of affordable USB camera glasses and similar devices:

In terms of affordable and convenient solutions for blind starters there now exist options to easily create a wearable setup using commercially available USB camera sunglasses, in combination with a stereo audio headset. No need for a separate video capture device and battery pack in these cases!