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Capstone ideas for human-computer interaction design (self.Blind)
submitted by HCIdGRAD
Hi everyone,
I am a master's student at Indiana University studying Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
I am currently doing my Capstone project in designing for people with visual impairments, with an eye toward understanding how they navigate complex environments.
One of my working concepts is a white cane with machine vision capabilities, allowing it to recognize objects in the environment and verbally announce the name of that object when touching it.
Another idea is to have the cane guide you via haptic feedback (e.g. vibration), eliminating the need to wear headphones while you're navigating.
Please comment with any thoughts you guys might have; also, I am searching for people who would like to participate in a phone interview, and would deeply appreciate it if any group members here would like to volunteer! Thank you very much.
Best,
I am a master's student at Indiana University studying Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
I am currently doing my Capstone project in designing for people with visual impairments, with an eye toward understanding how they navigate complex environments.
One of my working concepts is a white cane with machine vision capabilities, allowing it to recognize objects in the environment and verbally announce the name of that object when touching it.
Another idea is to have the cane guide you via haptic feedback (e.g. vibration), eliminating the need to wear headphones while you're navigating.
Please comment with any thoughts you guys might have; also, I am searching for people who would like to participate in a phone interview, and would deeply appreciate it if any group members here would like to volunteer! Thank you very much.
Best,
awesomesaucesaywhat 3 points 5y ago
Honestly, neither seems necessary. The cane already provides a lot of tactile feedback and with gps I can’t think of much that would need the haptic feedback as well.
The cane is very good as is, there’s a reason it’s still prominent.
The cane is very good as is, there’s a reason it’s still prominent.
HCIdGRAD [OP] 1 points 5y ago
Could you be more specific about how cane is helpful to you? In what kind of scenario is useful and in what kind of scenario is not?
Have you ever thought about some other features that a cane can provide?
For example, what if a cane that can lead you? Or a cane that can talk to you? or a cane that can replace the phone? or a cane that can work as a recorder?
Have you ever thought about some other features that a cane can provide?
For example, what if a cane that can lead you? Or a cane that can talk to you? or a cane that can replace the phone? or a cane that can work as a recorder?
awesomesaucesaywhat 1 points 5y ago
I would personally never use a cane that talked to me or provided audio feedback. There is enough noise around me already, and traffic noises vary. It would have to be super loud to hear over the traffic but then it would be too loud in other situations.
Combining a phone and cane seem like a hassle and not useful. Will i lift my cane to my face to talk on the phone? No. Will I use it to text while walking? No, I can text and walk with my existing cane. It’s also important to note that many people who use a cane have some vision left and may use their phones for things other than audio.
Building a gps into a cane is an obvious idea but I don’t think it would be practical, much for the same reasons as the audio thing.
I use my cane for tactile feedback: is the ground in front of me smooth, is there someone or something in front of me, how many stairs are there, how deep/high are the stairs. There are canes that incorporate flashing lights and noise makers as a safety feature, and i like that there is that option for people.
I have different cane tips I use in different environments. I use a marshmallow tip and the constant contact style (sweeping in front of me on the ground). I have a disk tip I use in sand, and a large ball tip I use for especially uneven sidewalk or ground.
In short, I appreciate that you want to help but the cane is great. Don’t reinvent the wheel.
Combining a phone and cane seem like a hassle and not useful. Will i lift my cane to my face to talk on the phone? No. Will I use it to text while walking? No, I can text and walk with my existing cane. It’s also important to note that many people who use a cane have some vision left and may use their phones for things other than audio.
Building a gps into a cane is an obvious idea but I don’t think it would be practical, much for the same reasons as the audio thing.
I use my cane for tactile feedback: is the ground in front of me smooth, is there someone or something in front of me, how many stairs are there, how deep/high are the stairs. There are canes that incorporate flashing lights and noise makers as a safety feature, and i like that there is that option for people.
I have different cane tips I use in different environments. I use a marshmallow tip and the constant contact style (sweeping in front of me on the ground). I have a disk tip I use in sand, and a large ball tip I use for especially uneven sidewalk or ground.
In short, I appreciate that you want to help but the cane is great. Don’t reinvent the wheel.
HCIdGRAD [OP] 1 points 5y ago
That's really amazing insights. I really really appreciate that. And I believe the cane is the best solution so far.
You just mentioned you can text and walk with your cane, so I was wondering which hand do you use to hold your cane, and do you constantly hold the phone? Or you just put it in the pocket and take it out when it's needed? '
Also, talking about the noise, do you use some kind of headphones?
You just mentioned you can text and walk with your cane, so I was wondering which hand do you use to hold your cane, and do you constantly hold the phone? Or you just put it in the pocket and take it out when it's needed? '
Also, talking about the noise, do you use some kind of headphones?
awesomesaucesaywhat 1 points 5y ago
I used my dominant hand for the cane and use my other hand with my phone. I usually stop walking to text and keep it in my pocket if I have one.
I don’t use headphones when I walk, since I need to be able to hear things like traffic. I do have bone conducting headphones that allow me to hear background noise and music but with traffic I have the same problem of them being either too loud or quiet and constantly adjusting the volume is annoying.
On public transit and in class I use either wired headphones in one year or my bone conducting. I find less people try to talk to me with headphones in, so that I a must on the bus or metro. Too many crazies on public transit, and answering questions everyday gets annoying.
I have a guide dog that I use primarily now and he is trained to walk on my left, so I can text with my right and keep walking, it’s pretty fun. When I travel with him I almost always hold my phone since I can use it easily to check maps or texts or the time.
I don’t use headphones when I walk, since I need to be able to hear things like traffic. I do have bone conducting headphones that allow me to hear background noise and music but with traffic I have the same problem of them being either too loud or quiet and constantly adjusting the volume is annoying.
On public transit and in class I use either wired headphones in one year or my bone conducting. I find less people try to talk to me with headphones in, so that I a must on the bus or metro. Too many crazies on public transit, and answering questions everyday gets annoying.
I have a guide dog that I use primarily now and he is trained to walk on my left, so I can text with my right and keep walking, it’s pretty fun. When I travel with him I almost always hold my phone since I can use it easily to check maps or texts or the time.
KillerLag 2 points 5y ago
How would haptic feedback be able to provide more information that a verbal notification? At a certain point, there would be too many types of vibration to clearly identify them, or it would take too long. If the signal for something is three short vibrations and a long vibration, it would be faster to say "lamp post". Additionally, the client can wear bone conduction headphones, so they can hear their environment as well as the notifications.
Notifying someone what the object is after touching it wouldn't be as useful as identifying it at a greater distance, so the client knows that may (or may not) be the landmark they are looking for.
Notifying someone what the object is after touching it wouldn't be as useful as identifying it at a greater distance, so the client knows that may (or may not) be the landmark they are looking for.
HCIdGRAD [OP] 1 points 5y ago
Thank you very much, I think it makes great sense. And I believe the bone conduction headphones are great inventions that could solve a lot of problems. I just found that there are a lot of folks not know they exist or haven't started to use them so I don't get too many insights on them. Have you ever used them before?
And what does landmark mean here? Could you be more specific? Probably give an example?
And what does landmark mean here? Could you be more specific? Probably give an example?
KillerLag 1 points 5y ago
I have used Aftershokz, but only the wired version. They have Bluetooth versions. They are decent enough for getting information, but not so good for music.
A landmark is a unique object that helps to identify where someone is. For example, a fire hydrant at a specific location could be a landmark.
A landmark is a unique object that helps to identify where someone is. For example, a fire hydrant at a specific location could be a landmark.
HCIdGRAD [OP] 1 points 5y ago
Gotcha, I really appreciate that.
estj136 2 points 5y ago
I agree, as someone who mastered a international city in 3 weeks time of being there I see no issues. I also work events and crowds at a totally blind journalist. My cane serves me lots but quite well. My sister did a similar project. It may help with beginning user, maybe more timid children, get them to begin as a training cane before they graduate to a normal cane. That could also teach bad habbits and reliance as well, though.
HCIdGRAD [OP] 1 points 5y ago
The idea that this kind of design can be used by beginning uses is super helpful. Thank you very much. I was wondering if you still remember those moments when you were getting used to the inconvenience while you're a beginning user? And how do you learn those things? I feel like this kind of tool is like the training wheels attached on bikes when kids learn how to bike.
However, they are quite different than training wheels. It might still be helpful while you're at a new environment.
However, they are quite different than training wheels. It might still be helpful while you're at a new environment.
estj136 1 points 5y ago
When I first learnt it was when I was 5 years old, so I don’t really truly remember what I had trouble with.
I think with new environment navigational help is most helpful. I don’t know if such a cane would be so much useful for me.
I think with new environment navigational help is most helpful. I don’t know if such a cane would be so much useful for me.
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