The Monarch is a Dynamic Tactile Device (DTD). About the size of an average gaming laptop and weighing only 2Kg it features an 8-dot braille keyboard, zoom in/out buttons, direction pads, up/down arrow buttons and an unheard of 10 lines by 32 cell refreshable braille display that can render multiple lines of braille and tactile graphics using equidistant pins.
This highly innovative technology along with the development of a new dynamic file type that will bring braille and graphics together in a navigable file, will bridge the existing educational gap for all blind students.
With access to downloadable digital textbooks and the APH Tactile Graphics Image Library (TGIL), the Monarch drastically reduces time to fingertips for users who are blind and low vision.
On Monarch, educational resources are readily available, cutting down on the need for specialized materials and additional classroom expenses. Time that would have been spent adapting lesson plans and creating materials is dramatically decreased, allowing educators to focus on what truly matters – teaching. With over 2000 graphics in the TGIL and connection to a variety of online libraries, students can take control of their learning journey, exploring concepts and ideas with newfound freedom.
And the Monarch isn’t just a braille display – it’s a graphing calculator, a library, a brailler, and so much more! It represents a shift toward an inclusive landscape, breaking down barriers and paving the way for a future where every individual can enjoy equal access to information.
The Monarch comes loaded with applications powered by KeySoft Accessibility suite including:
KeyWord, a Word processor supporting MathML, .docx, .doc, .txt, and PDF files
KeyWord allows users to receive a Word document, read and edit in braille, and then send it back in its original print format without any additional steps. This includes math content created in Microsoft Word’s equation editor which Monarch will translate into either Nemeth or UEB Math/Science!
KeyMath, a graphing calculator created in partnership with Desmos that allows students to graph tactile functions on demand
Tactile Viewer, a tactile graphic viewing app which connects via WiFi to APH’s Tactile Graphics Image Library and can display graphics in JPG, PNG, and PDF formats
Victor Reader, which connects users to hundreds of literary titles through online libraries including Bookshare and is compatible with Daisy and ePUB files
Lots of other fun educational applications are being developed for Monarch! One such app is Monarch Chess which gamifies the point-and-click gesture for easy learning and features a built-in tutorial that teaches users how to play. Stay tuned for new releases!
Features
A ten line 32-cell refreshable display containing 3,840 pins
Visual display capabilities – connect your Monarch to a monitor via HDMI to display what the Monarch user is viewing on a screen for sighted peers
An 8-dot Perkins braille keyboard
Customizable line spacing for introductory braille readers
Text-to-Speech functionality
Gesture recognition (point and tap for routing)
A battery life lasting longer than 24 hours
WiFi connectivity
Both USB and Bluetooth® connections for keyboards and headsets
Dimensions:
Size: 40cm x 27cm x 4cm
Weight: 2.1kgs
Technical Specifications
• Android OS • Internal Storage: 128GB • Quad core 64-bit Cortex A55 @ 2.0GHz processor • 4GB LPDDR4 • Battery Autonomy: Expectations are 8 hours, but currently way exceeding these. • Neonode IR sensor for Touch recognition • Audio Jack • Microphone • Stereo Speakers • Braille keyboard • 480 braille cells
Displays 32 characters per line
Up to 10 braille lines
Configurable braille line spacing to represent double line spacing.
User replaceable protected membrane protects from dust and accidental liquid spillage.
