Project Bee Concept Video (updated)

Just cutted the old lengthy demo video 3 minutes shorter, and added some description onto it.

Project Bee report

here it is.

report finished

I'll post the project report soon. It'll have a more detailed description of the whole project.

ideation and discussion

Sketches were made to sum up the ideas. The most ideas I found with my colleague students here have those features:

1, it mainly plays a role of "leading". Compared to GUI based devices, which can show an overview of the whole map, and thus is much easier to help user build mental map of the space, a device that doesn't rely on GUI has much bigger challenge to do the same. A dedicate high resolution tactile display might be able to complement, but the cost and size make it not so satisfactory as a solution.

2, it uses other channels than visual to communicate. Almost all the senses of human were mentioned.

3, it resembles to objects people normally wear on daily basis. Like glasses, ear rings, shoes, jackets, watches etc. Considering the "being ordinary" criteria, it makes sense.

After discussion, I found myself more inclined towards the wristband direction. It is easier to be accepted for daily use, less obtrusive, and also has some unique qualities that will facilitate the usage.

As the ideas develop, I thought it's natural to have gestural interface on this device, although audio interface is still indispensable.

design path

A decision must be made before I can continue. From the information I get from the initial studies and interview, I have made my own criteria for this project.

"Ordinary"

 it has been a very frequent word I heard from interviewees. They would like to use ordinary objects designed and used by everybody, rather than those exclusively made for them. The main reasons for that are, price, availability, and discrimination
(a better word needed...)

Simplicity

While 82% of all people who are blind are 50 years of age and older
(from WHO), the easiness to access the most important functions is more important than the number of them.

Updated information

A device with an open system would enable it to acquire continuous updated information. With the ever growing evolution on handheld device and mobile service, a product that makes use of it would make more sense than doing everything on its own.

Mobile handhelds today are also very capable computers. They have enough computing power to do taskes such as voice recognition, high rate data exchanging and even some 3D application. Sensors like GPS and accelorometer are also emerging. It is almost no doubt that they will gain more capabilities in the near future. As the mobile handheldsnot only to reduce the cost, weight and technical complexity,
So I decide to make this device an accessory to mobile handheld.

Social and market adaptation is also crucial. It has to be weighed together with functionality.

Based upon those criteria, I chose the 3rd path. Some more detailed concepts have been developed based on that.They could be categorized as:

1, Hand related concepts, like wristband, gloves, rings etc.

2, Foot related concepts, like shoes, shoe mats, nike+ipod like device etc.

3, Torso/head related concepts, like cap, necklace, garment etc.