Hope Tech is an accessibility tech startup, creating products for the visually impaired. They asked for our collaboration in the development of Sixth Sense: a wearable navigation device, providing audio and haptic feedback to assist visually impaired people in navigation and obstacle detection.
Technological Development
User Testing
Industrial Design
Model Making
To achieve reliable obstacle detection in different environments, we tested numerous sensor technologies, and evaluated their performance against each other. We developed a novel combination of sensors, which formed the basis for further development and integration.
One of the key aspects of this project was understanding how to best communicate information to the user. We conducted several user testing sessions, pairing the sensor technology with different wearable formats and feedback methods, and evaluating factors like intuitiveness, comfort and ease of user interaction.
Taking cues from premium audio equipment, the Sixth Sense concept is elegant and unassuming. The likeness to headphones normalises an otherwise unusual product format, avoiding stigma and unnecessary questions.
To bring the concept to life, we created a visual model. This enabled the Hope Tech team to create realistic photo and video assets, as well as test product feel and interaction with users.
