Use Of Assistive Technologies For People With Visual Impairment: Smart Glove Design For Clothing Field

Abstract

Assistive technology is a current area that has the potential to enhance the quality of life for individuals with visual impairment through innovative initiatives. This research involves a comprehensive review of assistive and wearable technology for visually impaired people, covering areas such as mobility, communication, and daily activities. It was observed that existing assistive technologies primarily focus on navigation and communication, with limited research on clothing-related assistive devices. Additionally, existing products often lack aesthetic appeal and functionality due to the high weight and size of technical materials and insufficient integration of electronics into clothing. Therefore, based on the user-centred design approach, the construction of the Smart Glove which involved detailed consideration of user needs, requirements, tasks, limitations, and barriers was carried out in this research. It was developed to address the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals in identifying the color, silhouette, details, and pattern of garments. In this context, two glove prototypes (e.g. knitted and neoprene gloves) were produced, with electronics integrated into the design. These prototypes were evaluated for pragmatic and hedonic qualities through testing with five users. Considering the feedback obtained from user tests, both hedonic and pragmatic, the gloves were generally satisfied with their weight, stitching, fit and feel.

Keywords: Smart glove, visually impaired, assistive technologies, wearable technologies, image processing, user-centred design.

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005531