Our Rating System
We employ a 5-star rating system for all of the AI tools we review to provide clear and concise evaluations of each based on standardized criteria. Below is an overview of the grading system:
- Five stars: Editor’s choice
- Four stars: An excellent choice
- Three stars: Meets some of our standards
- Two stars: Doesn’t meet our standards
- One star: Not recommended
This AI tool has been awarded an overall rating of four stars because it is easy to use and extremely helpful, but if you are looking for more long-term consistent support, Be My Eyes may fall short.
Overview of Be My Eyes
The concept of the Be My Eyes app is to help visually impaired people navigate daily tasks with a mix of AI and human support. Users can scan things with their phone and the AI will read to them or explain what it is seeing. Moreover, the app hosts sighted volunteers who connect with people who need vision support and provide remote assistance.
Through video calls, volunteers can visually assist blind people or low vision individuals, without them having to rely on friends or family members. Volunteers can read the expiry dates of food products, describe an image to app users, and help them to get a picture of the world around them.
Who Uses Be My Eyes?
Anyone who needs visual assistance can use Be My Eyes, and anyone who wants to volunteer their sight can also join the community.
As a low-vision person, you are offered 4 features - phone calls and support from volunteers, Specialized Help, access to the App’s global community, and Artificial Intelligence assistance.
As a volunteer or company representative, you assist by being on stand-by, waiting for a notification and a phone call through the app and you have access to the app’s community base.
Currently, the app provides assistance to more than 500k visually impaired users with the help of a whopping 6.9 million volunteers, so you can expect a quick connection with one.
Corporate Volunteering
Be My Eyes also offers extensive corporate volunteering programs that connect whole corporate teams with app users. If you register your company with Be My Eyes' corporate volunteering initiative, it will contribute to your company’s social responsibility, diversity and inclusion, and purpose-driven initiatives.
This means that it benefits you as a company, as well as benefiting the low-vision app users. Your employees will also learn about how others live and open their own eyes to the joy of helping others. Fees vary based on scope and organization size.
Ease of Use
Now let’s review the app and how accessible and simple it is to use.
The app is available for download in both iOS and Android versions - simply download it from your App Store (for iOS) or Google Play Store (for Android). Register via email, your Google account, or your Facebook profile.
Then, select whether you need visual assistance or if you’d like to volunteer and go through the short registration process.
Pros and Cons of Be My Eyes
Be My Eyes App is widely used across the world, and it enjoys overwhelming popularity. However, like any app, this tool has its own pros and cons. Let's explore these.
Pros
User-friendly app with easy and uncomplicated instructions for efficient use.
Very clear and informative video instructions.
You can discover success stories and experiences from around the world.
Fosters an inclusive global community.
The platform boasts blogs and vlogs, as well as 3 different podcasts.
The Be My Eyes app is FREE, no payment is required to use it.
It matches people based on their selected primary language and time zone, so you won’t receive calls after 9 pm.
Cons
Some users have experienced slight video delays during phone calls as the platform is internet-dependent.
Customer Support replies can be slow and they sometimes provide a generic response.
The number of volunteers is very high compared to the visually impaired users, so as a Be My Eyes volunteer you may have a smaller number of tasks requested than expected.
User Reviews of Be My Eyes
Here are some of the things users have said about Be My Eyes:
“Be My Eyes has made me feel so much more comfortable and secure knowing that if I should need sighted help, I’ll be able to get it.” - Diane
"I am a volunteer and it brightens up my day! I love answering calls because it humbles me that low vision or blind people go through a lot of extra work just to get through daily life. And to be able to make it easier for them means the world to me. It ALWAYS makes me smile even if I’m having a bad day by helping." - Devan Marie
"I love this app so much I love helping others and volunteering in my community. This app is nothing short of volunteering & helping out not just the permanently blind, but temporarily blind, and people who are experiencing vision loss either in one or both eyes." - Marissa
Alternatives to Be My Eyes
Here are some alternatives to the Be My Eye App.
AIRA
AIRA is based on a similar concept to Be My Eyes, however, AIRA provides visual assistance services at a fee. You pay a monthly fee for a set number of minutes. That being said, calls under five minutes are free for individuals and AIRA offers free access to small business owners, jobseekers, and patrons of various establishments like airports and chain stores.
Seeing AI
Seeing AI provides assistance for the visually impaired, however not with a live volunteer, but with computer software. You can send a picture or a video for the software to analyze, and the app can describe the scene, tell you what colors are present, identify currency, recognize faces, and even read handwriting. It also boasts a light detector feature to help you make sure the lights are on or off.
Google Maps
Google Maps can provide detailed instructions when walking a route. The helpful features include audio alerts and voice commands. It also provides an option of “Detailed voice guidance”.
VizWiz
VizWiz is an iPhone app for blind users who need quick answers about what is around them. It works by using automatic image processing and assistance from anonymous web helpers and friends in their social circle to get them fast and accurate responses to their questions.
Conclusion
The Be My Eyes app offers a compelling solution for individuals with visual impairments, providing invaluable real-time assistance through live video calls and AI support.
The platform's strength is in its ability to quickly connect users with volunteers, making it a convenient tool for completing daily tasks. With its user-friendly interface and online community, the app is designed to accommodate a wide range of demands.
While Be My Eyes excels at providing immediate visual assistance, it may not be the best choice for complex, ongoing support. Some users might find alternatives with more extensive features, better suited to their requirements.
In summary, Be My Eyes serves as a valuable tool in numerous situations, but users should assess their specific needs and comfort regarding sharing visual information before making a decision.