“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: [email protected] 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 ★ Support this podcast ★