This week on BLT, we chat with Patrick Long, co-founder of InnoSearch, a platform designed to enhance online shopping experiences for individuals with blindness and low vision. Patrick shares his journey into the tech world, inspired by personal experiences with family members losing their vision. The conversation delves into the importance of usability over mere compliance with accessibility standards, the innovative features of InnoSearch, including AI integration and a co-browse feature, and the future roadmap for the platform.
to get started with Innosearch, visit https://www.innosearch.ai/
To try CoBrouse for yourself, visit the Eyes On Success website at eyesonsuccess.net
Have questions or feedback for Aftersight?
email: feedback@aftersight.org
voicemail: 720-712-8856
general contact: contact@aftersight.org
Aftersight website: https://aftersight.org/
Producer: Evan Starnes
An Aftersight Original Podcast
All content for Blind Level Tech is the property of Aftersight and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
This week on BLT, we chat with Patrick Long, co-founder of InnoSearch, a platform designed to enhance online shopping experiences for individuals with blindness and low vision. Patrick shares his journey into the tech world, inspired by personal experiences with family members losing their vision. The conversation delves into the importance of usability over mere compliance with accessibility standards, the innovative features of InnoSearch, including AI integration and a co-browse feature, and the future roadmap for the platform.
to get started with Innosearch, visit https://www.innosearch.ai/
To try CoBrouse for yourself, visit the Eyes On Success website at eyesonsuccess.net
Have questions or feedback for Aftersight?
email: feedback@aftersight.org
voicemail: 720-712-8856
general contact: contact@aftersight.org
Aftersight website: https://aftersight.org/
Producer: Evan Starnes
An Aftersight Original Podcast
“Holy Braille” to Codex: Multi‑Line Braille That Clicks
Blind Level Tech
34 minutes
3 months ago
“Holy Braille” to Codex: Multi‑Line Braille That Clicks
Evan Starnes sits down with Alex Russomanno, CEO of New Haptics, to unpack the Codex—a 4‑line x 32‑cell, multi‑line braille display powered by pneumatic actuation, a full‑surface touch interface (double‑tap to route the cursor), and mechanical Perkins keys built for daily work. They trace the journey from the early “Holy Braille” research to a desktop‑class device with an external pump, Linux under the hood, and a growing software layer. We cover emerging screen‑reader integrations (JAWS/NVDA/Narrator; VoiceOver expected later), onboard apps (including a Wordle‑style game), durability testing aimed at 5–7 years of heavy use, and a target price just under $10,000. Plus, BLT’s “sandwich of the week” and what’s next for multi‑line workflows.
Contact Info
Guest — Alex Russomanno (New Haptics)
Website: https://www.newhaptics.com
Contact: Use the site’s contact form (messages route to Alex)
Aftersight / Blind Level Tech
Email: feedback@aftersight.org
Voicemail: (720) 712‑8856
Chapter Markers
00:15 Intro & CSUN context: first hands‑on with Codex
01:05 Meet Alex—Michigan roots & “Holy Braille” origins
03:50 Early pneumatic prototypes (2015) → lessons learned
07:10 Naming the Codex—literacy meets tech
08:10 Hardware tour: 4x32, 8‑dot cells, line select keys, touch surface
10:05 Double‑tap cursor routing; keeping full braille real estate
11:35 Desktop design: external pump & the “white‑noise” hum
13:55 Mechanical Perkins keys & haptics philosophy
14:55 Use cases & screen‑reader roadmap (JAWS/NVDA/Narrator; VO later)
16:35 Onboard apps/games; update approach
18:10 Under the hood: Linux base + custom UX layer
19:40 Biggest challenge: dot feel & long‑term reliability
22:50 No top film: how Codex protects mechanics differently
24:55 Pricing & form factor decisions (why 4 lines; 8‑dot)
26:20 Community co‑design & honest feedback
27:30 BLT “Sandwich of the Week”
28:50 What’s next for New Haptics
31:00 “Design with dignity, then iterate”
31:30 Where to find Codex & trade shows
33:10 Listener CTAs & outro
Blind Level Tech
This week on BLT, we chat with Patrick Long, co-founder of InnoSearch, a platform designed to enhance online shopping experiences for individuals with blindness and low vision. Patrick shares his journey into the tech world, inspired by personal experiences with family members losing their vision. The conversation delves into the importance of usability over mere compliance with accessibility standards, the innovative features of InnoSearch, including AI integration and a co-browse feature, and the future roadmap for the platform.
to get started with Innosearch, visit https://www.innosearch.ai/
To try CoBrouse for yourself, visit the Eyes On Success website at eyesonsuccess.net
Have questions or feedback for Aftersight?
email: feedback@aftersight.org
voicemail: 720-712-8856
general contact: contact@aftersight.org
Aftersight website: https://aftersight.org/
Producer: Evan Starnes
An Aftersight Original Podcast