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Could this product design potentially improve a blind persons quality of life. (self.Blind)
submitted by TobsENG
I am currently at university doing a design assignment that requires me to create a design to solve one of 8 problems. One of which was to improve the quality of life for someone with a disability. I chose visually impaired and blind people.
My design idea is a watch in which the time can be told without needing to look at the watch. I also want it to help with echolocation. Blind people often use echolocation with canes or even the clicking of their tongues however I would like to incorporate this into the watch. A clicking sound similar to the clicking of the cane will be emitted from the watch at a desired volume. As this design is for such a good cause and if made correctly, it could help many people, efficiency of the echolocation is essential. Therefore the way it sounds, volumes, and how it͛s perceived by the customer should be possible to alter. In addition, it should be affordable so many people can purchase it. In addition, I would like my design to include smart watch features such as fitness applications and Bluetooth connectivity which can all be accessed and controlled using top quality voice control. My Idea is yet to be design properly so please leave possible improvements and constructive criticism.
My design idea is a watch in which the time can be told without needing to look at the watch. I also want it to help with echolocation. Blind people often use echolocation with canes or even the clicking of their tongues however I would like to incorporate this into the watch. A clicking sound similar to the clicking of the cane will be emitted from the watch at a desired volume. As this design is for such a good cause and if made correctly, it could help many people, efficiency of the echolocation is essential. Therefore the way it sounds, volumes, and how it͛s perceived by the customer should be possible to alter. In addition, it should be affordable so many people can purchase it. In addition, I would like my design to include smart watch features such as fitness applications and Bluetooth connectivity which can all be accessed and controlled using top quality voice control. My Idea is yet to be design properly so please leave possible improvements and constructive criticism.
Drop9Reddit 9 points 5y ago
I would suggest echo location is not as common as thought around the “sighted” public. It can help but by no means is the only way to move around or the best way. A cane will always be needed unless you have a guide dog. Now some may disagree
As to the watch similar things currently do exist. For example there are talking watches and braille watches available. As well devices like the Apple Watch are able to speak or use what is called Taptic Time.
I don’t mean to be a huge buzz kill but i did want to make sure you knew some of the landscape around. Others may also have kore to add on this.
As to the watch similar things currently do exist. For example there are talking watches and braille watches available. As well devices like the Apple Watch are able to speak or use what is called Taptic Time.
I don’t mean to be a huge buzz kill but i did want to make sure you knew some of the landscape around. Others may also have kore to add on this.
AllHarlowsEve 2 points 5y ago
The only blind people I know who use echolocation by clicking are two people from Turkey I believe, who couldn't afford canes, and one guy who just wanted to learn and teach every technique possible.
TobsENG [OP] 1 points 5y ago
I really appreciate the feedback, thank you. I'm aware their are many similar products however, I am wondering how I could design a watch that has almost as much technology and features as an apple watch but better tailored to blind users.
Drop9Reddit 1 points 5y ago
I would say the watch idea overall is used up and not much room to improve. Plus watches aside from smart watches are a dieing item thanks to cell phones.
Maybe a low cost version of an existing watch but otherwise I would go back to the drawing board.
Maybe a low cost version of an existing watch but otherwise I would go back to the drawing board.
dmazzoni 6 points 5y ago
An important part of design is to research what options already exist. Did you even do a Google search to see what watches for blind people already exist? There are talking watches, tactile watches where you can feel the hands, buzzing watches that tap out the time, and even Braille watches that raise pins.
There is still a lot of room for innovation but you can't "invent" something that already exists.
There is still a lot of room for innovation but you can't "invent" something that already exists.
TobsENG [OP] 1 points 5y ago
I appreciate the feedback but I gave a very vague description of what I wanted to do as I wished to get further ideas from other people. I did some research and I found many strong competitors, I am wondering how I can improve their ideas and perhaps come up with ideas that are yet done, not to 'invent' something that already exists.
AllHarlowsEve 5 points 5y ago
I've met exactly 3 people who /ever/ use echolocation by clicking, but many more who use a cane to hear/feel the texture of the ground. A clicking watch not only would be unhelpful, but also incredibly annoying.
Also, the majority of these features are already in existance in accessible formats with things like the Apple Watch or FitBits or whatever.
What would actually be helpful would be things not worked on as far as I know, like a measuring cup with adjustable volume that tells you how much is in it as you pour into it.
Like, really specific, like 1/4 cup + 1tbs or something like that.
Also, the majority of these features are already in existance in accessible formats with things like the Apple Watch or FitBits or whatever.
What would actually be helpful would be things not worked on as far as I know, like a measuring cup with adjustable volume that tells you how much is in it as you pour into it.
Like, really specific, like 1/4 cup + 1tbs or something like that.
LifeinParalysis 2 points 5y ago
Yes! This would actually be really nice. Or like a talking scale. Put a cup on the scale, zero it out, and it tells you what you are adding based on the weight. It wouldn't be perfect, but it'd be more universal.
KillerLag 1 points 5y ago
http://www.braillebookstore.com/Talking-Kitchen-Scale.1
That does what you describe. The technical term for putting an empty cup on the scale and zeroing the weight is called "tare" or "tare weight".
That does what you describe. The technical term for putting an empty cup on the scale and zeroing the weight is called "tare" or "tare weight".
AllHarlowsEve 1 points 5y ago
I'd assume with some sort of lazer or something, it could be done, and you wouldn't have to worry about the density of oil vs water vs barbacue sauce.
KillerLag 1 points 5y ago
https://www.maxiaids.com/speaks-volumz-talking-3-cup-measuring-cup
Like this? I don't think it can do two different measurements, it would probably amalgamate it into one. (1.45 cups or something).
Like this? I don't think it can do two different measurements, it would probably amalgamate it into one. (1.45 cups or something).
AllHarlowsEve 1 points 5y ago
Probably, I've never heard of this before though. That's pretty cool.
bradley22 1 points 5y ago
Hello.
I know that you'd like to help us and I apreciate it.
Having said that, these kind of ideas have already been invented.
I know you'd like to improve the smart watches but apples VoiceOver feature is already built into the Apple Watch and echo location isn't used that much.
There's already a device out there that helps detect obsticles using vibration and sound waves, I think.
I've tried it and it's nice.
I think another idea would need to be put forward to help us out. Something I've not seen is a talking oven. I've not got my own place yet and there are tuns of blind people who know how to cook who might find this annoying but there's talking microwaves, talking scales, talking jugs, so why not a talking oven? Or an app that helps you set the ovens diles? Or how about an app that has a setting for the Oven and the Fridge and the Freazer and the Washing Machine and Tumbledrier?
Sure, it's a bit out there and Apple will probably come up with something like this soon, in fact, they have with Home, but I've not seen any of this type of stuff on the market apart from apples Home Kit.
I know that you'd like to help us and I apreciate it.
Having said that, these kind of ideas have already been invented.
I know you'd like to improve the smart watches but apples VoiceOver feature is already built into the Apple Watch and echo location isn't used that much.
There's already a device out there that helps detect obsticles using vibration and sound waves, I think.
I've tried it and it's nice.
I think another idea would need to be put forward to help us out. Something I've not seen is a talking oven. I've not got my own place yet and there are tuns of blind people who know how to cook who might find this annoying but there's talking microwaves, talking scales, talking jugs, so why not a talking oven? Or an app that helps you set the ovens diles? Or how about an app that has a setting for the Oven and the Fridge and the Freazer and the Washing Machine and Tumbledrier?
Sure, it's a bit out there and Apple will probably come up with something like this soon, in fact, they have with Home, but I've not seen any of this type of stuff on the market apart from apples Home Kit.
TobsENG [OP] 1 points 5y ago
Thank you so much Bradley. You've given me a really good insight and a lot of new possible ideas.
bradley22 1 points 5y ago
No problem. Remember research what's out there before making your own apps/devices as they may already be on the market and being used by blind people.
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