Bringing the benefits of technology to the visually impaired is a challenge since designing devices for them requires thinking unconventionally along with an increased sensitivity to their needs. Take the example of cell phones - they are everywhere but all that they have offered for those who have problems with figuring out where the keys are is the "dimple" on the 5 key. Japanese designer, Takumi Yoshida took on the task of coming up with a cell phone that would be solely designed for the blind. She started off by conducting extensive user research, interviews, observations and testing with students from the Royal National Institute of Blind People, United Kingdom. The result is the SENS concept phone.

The SENS phone cleverly uses a combination of touch sensors and the regular phone keys to provide an audible feedback to the user. So when a person presses a certain key, the phone informs him what key has been pressed without actually considering it as a normal key press. If that is indeed the desired key, the user can press it again and this time, it will be taken as an input. A click sound will be also be provided so that the user knows his choice has been registered. The user may hover across the keys to gain feedback on which key is being currently touched. SENS also has an integrated bluetooth option to ensure that only the user gets to hear the audio feedback in public areas. To those users who can detect a certain level of illumination, there is color illumination on the side to indicate various status messages like low battery, incoming call and so on.

Its display is made of hundreds of pins, and the clock rearranges the pin display every minute as the time changes. The look of the clock is attractive and somehow both modern and stylishly retro, and it's a great conversation piece for your desk.

Kintic sculpure

A ferrofluid (from the Latin ferrum, meaning iron) is a liquid which becomes strongly polarised in the presence of a magnetic field.

Ferrofluids are colloidal mixtures composed of nanoscale ferromagnetic, or ferrimagnetic, particles suspended in a carrier fluid, usually an organic solvent or water. The ferromagnetic nano-particles are coated with a surfactant to prevent their agglomeration (due to van der Waals forces and magnetic forces). Although the name may suggest otherwise, ferrofluids do not display ferromagnetism, since they do not retain magnetization in the absence of an externally applied field. In fact, ferrofluids display (bulk-scale) paramagnetism, and are often described as "superparamagnetic" due to their large magnetic susceptibility. Permanently magnetized fluids are difficult to create at present.[1](Wikipedia)

Hybrid solar lighting

A great idea, that has already travelled from the concept-prototype form into reality, one of those great developments that will influence future ambient design, as an environmentally friendly light solution that is not only brings benefits in low cost maintenance but also influences the general well being of people in a way that conventional light will never be able to do.

Kintic sculpure

A simple concept that engages the mind into exploring 3D vision and modelling by filling the blanks.

This concept aims to form a more jewellery looking watch by using the beauty of light and crystal. When the user wants to learn the time, by activating leds, the hour and minute hands will appear on the watch surface as light refracted in the crystal. Afterwards, the hour and minute hands will slowly disappear. The user can also make leds permanently active for indicating time or ambiance, or use it without light.

PC concept but it brings the basic functionalities required by people with vision impairment or vision loss, transforming a standard user interface into an intuitive one.
This is done via the digitally tactile interface from a flat surface encased in magneclay concept material, which can to morph upward into any shape, and you can translate this into the generating of infinitely refreshable Braille displayed in a book-like format.
People with this type of disability can access even 3D relief images and photo reliefs.
It measures 12 x 20 x ¾ inches and with this form factor it can replace the 5 devices existent on the market today, that are needed by visually impaired: monitor, keyboard, refreshable Braille output, microphone, and speakers.
The user can do everything that a person with no eye problems can, from browsing websites to navigation through menus, and this is done via the integrated keyboard and the full Braille page display.
Additional features improve the user experience making things easier and here we have voice commands, text reading software and the text-to-Braille convertor.
For its exterior the designer had the idea to add stained and polished teak wood because it gives a soft touch feeling and doesn’t get too cold, while the Siafu margins should be rounded so they can’t harm the user.
To sustain the idea of ergonomics the designer wants to use the magneclay material which would be a combination of oil-based synthetic agent with morphing capabilities, and with its loose molecular structure can rearrange when prompted by electrical and magnetic charges.
This conceptual material does not require maintenance and is also recyclable.

Morph, a joint nanotechnology concept, developed by Nokia Research Center (NRC) and the University of Cambridge (UK) - was launched today alongside the “Design and the Elastic Mind” exhibition, on view from February 24 to May 12, 2008, at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. Morph features in both the exhibition catalog and on MoMA’s official website.

Morph is a concept that demonstrates how future mobile devices might be stretchable and flexible, allowing the user to transform their mobile device into radically different shapes. It demonstrates the ultimate functionality that nanotechnology might be capable of delivering: flexible materials, transparent electronics and self-cleaning surfaces. Dr. Bob Iannucci, Chief Technology Officer, Nokia, commented: “Nokia Research Center is looking at ways to reinvent the form and function of mobile devices; the Morph concept shows what might be possible”.

Dr. Tapani Ryhanen, Head of the NRC Cambridge UK laboratory, Nokia, commented: “We hope that this combination of art and science will showcase the potential of nanoscience to a wider audience. The research we are carrying out is fundamental to this as we seek a safe and controlled way to develop and use new materials.”

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