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    HumanWare Brailliant BI 40X 40-cell refreshable Braille display

    Brailliant BI 40X Braille Display | HumanWare

    $3,695.00

    Description

    The Brailliant BI 40X Braille Display from HumanWare brings digital information to life through a crisp, responsive 40-cell refreshable Braille display. Designed for people who are blind or visually impaired, the BI 40X can work with screen readers on computers and mobile devices while also providing a collection of standalone productivity applications.

    With its combination of a 40-cell Braille display, Perkins-style keyboard, wireless connectivity, onboard storage, and KeySoft Lite applications, the Brailliant BI 40X can support everything from reading documents and books to writing notes, editing files, and accessing online resources.

    40-Cell Refreshable Braille Display

    The BI 40X features 40 high-quality refreshable Braille cells, providing a substantial amount of text on screen at one time. Each Braille cell has an associated cursor-routing button, allowing you to quickly move the cursor to a particular location when reading or editing text.

    The display also incorporates HumanWare’s signature thumb keys, designed to make navigating and reading digital content comfortable and efficient.

    Perkins-Style Braille Keyboard

    The built-in 8-dot Perkins-style keyboard provides Braille input for writing and editing. Two space bars and six command keys provide additional controls for navigating the device and its applications.

    This integrated keyboard means the BI 40X can serve as more than a passive Braille display. Users can type notes, create documents, edit files, and interact with supported applications directly from the device.

    Bluetooth 5 and USB Connectivity

    The Brailliant BI 40X uses Bluetooth 5 for wireless connectivity and can connect with up to five Bluetooth devices simultaneously, along with one USB device.

    Connect the BI 40X to compatible computers, tablets, smartphones, and other devices to access information through a screen reader. Supported screen readers include JAWS, Dolphin SuperNova, NVDA, and VoiceOver on Apple devices.

    USB-C connectivity also supports connection to a computer and charging.

    Standalone KeySoft Lite Applications

    The BI 40X includes onboard applications powered by KeySoft Lite, allowing users to perform many tasks without depending entirely on a connected computer or smartphone. Available applications include an editor, Braille editor, calculator, date and time functions, online libraries, and Victor Reader functionality.

    This standalone functionality makes the BI 40X useful for productivity, education, reading, and personal organization.

    32 GB Internal Storage

    The Brailliant BI 40X includes 32 GB of internal storage for firmware and user data. Its onboard translation and file compatibility support formats including DOCX, BRF, BRL, TXT, HTML, and PDF.

    This provides a convenient way to store and work with a variety of digital documents.

    Text-to-Speech

    The BI 40X includes text-to-speech functionality, creating a hybrid Braille and audio experience. Current HumanWare specifications indicate that TTS applies to English, Spanish, and French system languages.

    Text-to-speech can complement Braille reading by allowing users to hear text when desired or have individual words spoken while working with digital content.

    Access Online Libraries

    The BI 40X can connect directly to participating online libraries, including Bookshare, NLS BARD, and NFB Newsline, providing convenient access to digital books, publications, and other content.

    This direct-access functionality can make it easier to find and read digital content without transferring every file from another device.

    Long Battery Life

    The rechargeable battery provides up to approximately 20 hours of battery life, depending on usage. This makes the BI 40X suitable for extended periods of reading, studying, writing, and mobile use.

    Wi-Fi and Wireless Access

    Built-in Wi-Fi supports wireless connectivity for online services and device functionality. The BI 40X supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi, along with Bluetooth 5.

    Portable Design

    Despite offering 40 Braille cells and a full Perkins-style keyboard, the BI 40X is designed to remain portable. It measures approximately 12 × 3.5 × 0.8 inches and weighs about 1.5 pounds.

    A carrying case and shoulder strap are included, making it easier to transport between home, school, work, and other locations.

    Useful for Students and Professionals

    The Brailliant BI 40X can support a wide variety of educational and professional activities. Students can use it to read textbooks, take notes, write assignments, and access digital learning materials. Professionals can use it for reading documents, writing emails, reviewing files, and working with screen-reader applications.

    HumanWare also provides documentation for using the BI 40X with platforms including iOS, Mac, Android, Chromebook, JAWS, and Windows Narrator.

    Newer Firmware Features

    HumanWare released firmware version 2.6 for the Brailliant BI X series in January 2026. The update added English Braille learning tables and a new KeyRecorder application for the BI 40X, along with support for the upcoming eBraille format.

    The KeyRecorder application uses the BI 40X’s integrated microphone to record sessions, meetings, and other audio.

    Key Features

    • 40-cell refreshable Braille display
    • Cursor-routing buttons for every Braille cell
    • 8-dot Perkins-style Braille keyboard
    • Two space bars
    • Six command keys
    • HumanWare signature thumb keys
    • Bluetooth 5 connectivity
    • Connects with up to five Bluetooth devices simultaneously
    • USB connectivity
    • Wi-Fi connectivity
    • Up to 20 hours of battery life
    • 32 GB internal storage
    • KeySoft Lite applications
    • Text-to-speech
    • Onboard Braille translation
    • More than 250 onboard Braille tables
    • Support for multiple file formats
    • BookReader and Editor applications
    • Braille Editor
    • Calculator
    • Online library access
    • Victor Reader functionality
    • Bookshare access
    • NLS BARD access
    • NFB Newsline access
    • HDMI-free standalone operation
    • Screen-reader compatibility
    • Vibration feedback
    • Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
    • Approximately 1.5-pound weight
    • Carrying case and shoulder strap included

    Who Can Benefit

    The HumanWare Brailliant BI 40X may be especially useful for:

    • People who are blind
    • Braille readers
    • Students
    • College and university students
    • Professionals
    • Teachers
    • Assistive technology users
    • Screen-reader users
    • People who need portable Braille access
    • Individuals who want both Braille and audio access
    • Users who need a standalone Braille productivity device

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