Navigating through a new environment, recognizing objects or carrying out various everyday tasks independently can be an enormous challenge for people with impaired vision. In a joint project, VRVis and HGBS-GmbH, a venture of Hilfsgemeinschaft der Blinden und Sehschwachen Österreichs, have examined new technological solutions to meet the needs of these people precisely and promote their independence. Many of those affected have a certain degree of visual function. This is where the research partners started: they made use of the visual capacity and aimed to provide optimal support with augmented reality (AR).
Participatory approach to explore AR as an assistive technology
In cooperation with the target group, the project team has tested, analyzed and evaluated various accessibility functionalities of AR glasses. Current techniques for improving visual acuity were supplemented with visual and/or acoustic information, etc. The aim was to develop an application suitable for everyday use that people with impaired vision can use easily, willingly and permanently - without feeling stigmatised or uncomfortable in public.
Complementing visual function with AR methods
As part of the collaboration, VRVis and HGBS-GmbH have designed a prototype that employs optical see-through AR. In this method, content is projected onto transparent glasses; users can still perceive their real environment. In exchange with a group of affected people, the researcher team has investigated different options for displaying and zooming in on live camera images.
Start: 06.2023
End: 11.2023
HGBS-GmbH/Hilfsgemeinschaft der Blinden und Sehschwachen Österreichs
FFG
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