SCIENCE

NantWorks announced that its LookTel technology had been selected as a winner of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Chairman's Awards for Advancements in Accessibility. The award, which recognizes outstanding efforts to advance communications accessibility for people with disabilities, will be presented at a ceremony at FCC headquarters in Washington D.C. on October 28th 2011.

LookTel was developed for the blind and visually impaired. It enables a standard smart phone to be used to recognize objects such as currency bills, packaged goods, medication bottles, storefronts and landmarks. Recognition happens in real time, without delay, and the device will speak the identity of the object, for example the denomination of a bill.

"We are honored to have been chosen for this award from the FCC," said Dr. Soon-Shiong, "and delighted to be able to bring forward this important recognition platform, which is going to make a difference to many people's lives."