SCIENTISTS have developed hi-tech glasses that could prove a major boost for the blind.

The team at Oxford University spin-out company Assisted Vision say the spectacles will help blind people navigate obstacles more safely by using small on-board cameras and a computer, which generate a 3D brightness map for the wearer.

Assisted Vision spokesman Iain Wilson explained: “After a couple of years of development, we are now looking to find investors who can help us go to the next stage and manufacture them.

“We’re looking for a further £1m, to take us through the remaining research and development and prepare us for the market.”

He added that the company’s aim was to price the glasses for less than £1,000 and they could be on sale in less than 18 months.

Mr Wilson said: “We think costs can be very low, because we’re using mobile phone components. It could also be connected to a mobile phone, which would provide longer battery life.”

So far, the company has invested about £600,000 into the device’s development over the last two years.

Company chief executive Dr John Lincoln said the technology was the first to take advantage of residual sight by means of light recognition retained by up to 90 per cent blind people.

He said: “Someone can become very skilled with a stick, a cane or a guide dog, but that takes time and practice. This is a very intuitive device.”