Johns Hopkins students invent braille printer for beer labels

In 2024, engineering students at Johns Hopkins University embarked on an innovative project to assist the visually impaired. They collaborated with a nonprofit entity, Blind Industries & Services of Maryland (BISM), which approached them with a specific request: to create a braille printer suitable for beer labels. This initiative aimed to improve accessibility for consumers with visual impairments while supporting local breweries. The printer was designed from the ground up, taking into account the unique requirements associated with braille printing on various materials, specifically those not accommodated by traditional commercial braille printers. The development process began in September 2024, as the students worked diligently to prototype a machine capable of punching braille dots into plastic beer labels. BISM, identified as the largest employer of blind and low-vision workers in Maryland, expressed the need for an accessible and intuitive tool for their employees. The result was not just a printer; it was a device crafted with an open hardware design, allowing users to feel and interact with its components. A significant aspect of the printer's design was its usability by individuals who are blind or have low vision. The students conducted extensive exploration to ensure that those who would be using the printer could operate it effectively. Senior mechanical engineering student Catherine Pollard highlighted the importance of this tactile engagement in the design process. They received positive feedback from those familiar with adaptive technologies, enabling the team to align their work with the daily operations of BISM. In addition to the hardware, the team developed compatible software that enhances communication between the printer, a braille word processor, and graphic design tools utilized in BISM's office environment. As a demonstration of their machine, the students successfully printed 400 braille labels for a beer called Blind Spot, which was crafted by Checkerspot Brewing Company in Baltimore. This brewery partners with BISM for an annual fundraiser aimed at supporting the blind community. The invention of the printer is projected to alleviate the labor-intensive process currently endured by BISM employees, who traditionally use a manual press to create braille labels for their products, thereby enhancing both efficiency and access for visually impaired consumers.