The Design blog

Universal ATM machine to aid differently abled users
PULSE bracelet vibrates to guide the hearing impaired
10 Cool and creative Christmas trees
Volna: The unique artistic table for modern spaces

Universal ATM machine to aid differently abled users

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 07:27 AM PST

Reeyankee Das Choudhury:

The concept

ATM has become an important part in everyone's life. Now-a-days a person having a bank account has an ATM card. Thus an ATM machine design has been made so that people with special need can also use it. This machine also has a voice feedback for visually impaired people.

Universal ATM machine

The target

It will help the differently abled persons like visually impaired, people with partial vision impairment, wheel chaired person and all handicapped people to avail the services of the ATMs, which were out of their reach till now.

The need

Using ATMs is the most difficult task for those who are visually impaired or on the wheelchair, as most banks do not have Braille and talking machines. So, this Universal ATM machine will aid differently abled users to a great deal.

Key features

The flat surface viewed from the top angle looks curved, this works as a support for a handicapped person to balance with the crutches. The keypad is given a depth so that visually impaired people could understand the height difference. Below the card reader is an original card placed so that it is easy for the person to understand which side of the card is to be inserted in the machine. From the door to the machine, there is a carpet spread, which helps the visually impaired person to reach the machine. The keys in the keypad are nicely spaced out and are bigger in size, which helps in the tolerance of errors. The money outlet indication is slightly embossed helping the visually impaired person to follow to the money outlet.

The solution

The machine has two flat surfaces for the person to keep their wallet so that it's easy to take out the card. The flat surface viewed from the top angle looks curved, this helps as a support for a handicapped person to balance with the crutches. The keypad is given a depth so that a visually impaired person could understand the height difference. There is ample space provided under the machine for a wheel chaired person to access it. When the numbers are pressed an audio feedback is given. Buttons are placed near the screen for making it easier for people to understand which options to select. Keys at the keypad has been made bigger in size and nicely spaced out to prevent errors. Font size too has been increased for helping people with partial vision impairment to clearly read it. The machine comes with voice feedback specially designed for visually impaired person. The ATM card on one side has been made with a different texture so that vision impaired people can understand which sides needs to be inserted.

Related trends

1. Study Nook

Study Nook

Study Nook by designer Aaron Kowald is a learning aid that has won the James Dyson Award for community value and educational assistance it offered to the disabled children, particularly those suffering from Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties. Specially devised for children ailing with autism and Down syndrome, the work station provides a child with the necessary day to day educational tools for learning in the classroom. This handy study unit functions as a useful tool which chiefly focuses on functional requirements of a kid with PMLD. Study Nook helps to prevent disturbance thereby helping the child in exploring sensory and perceptual skills during interaction with the product. It also builds comfort by making private work room for the kid within the classroom. This device is easy to use and is collapsible thereby making it functional, innovative and aesthetically suitable for the need.

2. Soft Pet mobile phone

Soft Pet mobile phone

Soft Pet comes wedged with a variety of new features apart from the usual functions like speech input and Braille buttons. A special feature of the phone is the call-and-respond naming capability, which will prove to be very beneficial. A user can give their Soft Pet mobile phone a name just like they would when they get a pet home. When the user calls the phone's name, the mobile gadget will respond in return. This will make it easy for the visually impaired to locate the cellular phone in case it gets misplaced or they are unable to locate it. Draped in smooth and soft silicone, the Soft Pet phone is comfortable to hold.

This inventive device can sense presence of users contacts and describes the distance via its speech function. Its emergency SOS button will be very helpful especially when users face any kind of trouble. This phone comes with a cradle or tray that acts as wireless charger for juicing up the device. One can charge this gadget by putting it into the tray without connecting it to the wires. Soft Pet is a blessing for the visually impaired people. It is both comfortable to use as well as charge thereby making sure that the visually challenged do not have to be dependent on others while using contemporary gadgets.

3. Communicaid

Communicaid

The Communicaid design concept from South Korean designer Jaepyung Lee stems from the disadvantages that the hearing impaired people encounter in the course of their daily routines. Unlike people with more obviously identifiable disabilities like blindness or a physical handicap, there isn't a way to incorporate the hearing disabled into a hearing environment. One of the most common problems which the deaf face is communicating with people who are not familiar with sign language or terrifying situations when they cannot hear horns and other warnings on road. Something like Communicaid can help to merge hearing disabled population further flawlessly in the audible world. This gadget is made of 3 varied communication devices which cater to different usage requirements in different environments. This small portable device has been intended chiefly for indoor use thereby allowing hearing impaired for recognizing sounds. It is equipped with 2 good quality MEMS microphones designed for capturing specific sounds such as fire alarm, doorbell, someone calling from a distance and transfers them to a visual pattern on the display as pictograms or blinking lights.

This enables the deaf to become more aware of significant sound-based social indications which they may encounter at home or their routine work. The second concept is pair of glasses which can capture sounds as well as bring them to wearer's attention through blinking LEDs via hair band style tool. Intended for outdoor use, the Communicaid Glasses enables deaf people to turn more careful regarding warning sounds as well as traffic on streets. It is intended for use in outdoor activates such as shopping, commuting, jogging among others. The third, a mobile communicator helps to convert conversation to text for hearing impaired people along with allowing them to respond through a text on screen or choosing to convert typed text to audio for hearing persons. This innovative concept enables deaf people in communicating to non-singers effectively and also serves as a wonderful way in helping them to integrate themselves in talking/hearing environment. This device boasts of curved slide-out display which can easily be read by other person devoid of straining their posture.

PULSE bracelet vibrates to guide the hearing impaired

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 06:42 AM PST

Soubhik Chakrabarti:

The concept

Sound is actually an indispensable part of one’s life. Nearly every social interaction involves the use of sound. PULSE makes sure that this social interaction is more enhanced. PULSE provides users sound information of the surrounding environment by the use of sensory inputs. The PULSE artifact is in the shape of a bracelet and has a display that informs the distance as well as the type of sound and the decibel level. If that is not all, the artifact also informs about the sound’s direction. The artifact does all this by emitting vibrations which detect the type of sound in the immediate surrounding.

PULSE bracelet

The target

The PULSE as a product is generally targeted for people who have hearing disabilities and thus it is actually a great boon for them. The user of the PULSE can feel the sensory inputs which the device catches on account of the device being shaped like a bracelet. The bracelet too vibrates when it captures noise thus helping the user to identify the sound.

The need

There was an urgent need for a device like the PULSE. People with hearing difficulties find it very hard to perform day to day tasks smoothly. The PULSE can help these people by providing all the information they need to perform activities that require the use or emission of sound. The PULSE thus increases efficiency and efficacy in the lives of these people.

Key features

The PULSE, being in the form of a bracelet, can signalize noise pretty easily. This noise vibrates according to the sound inputs that are in the immediate environment and alerts the user. As the bracelet is made of PVC or Poly Vinyl Chloride, it is durable and can also be recycled. The material can also adapt to a variety of colors. The LED screen on the device tells the user of the noise proximity. It also helps in identifying the sound and sending alerts whenever it detects noises.

The solution

The PULSE has helped the hearing impaired by allowing them stimulate new sensations and thus making them have a greater social interaction with the outside world. The device’s ability to translate sound and sensory inputs with the existing sound inputs it has and informing the user through vibration and display screen is a welcome thing. In fact, the device can also recognize some source of sounds automatically and those are indicated by representative icons. Other unknown sounds can be registered too according to the user’s preference and needs.

Related trends

1. Communicaid

Communicaid

1. Communicaid

South Korean designer Jaepyung Lee designed the Communicaid. The main inspiration behind the design was the disadvantages people with hearing disabilities faced in their daily lives. There is often not a possible way to make the hearing disabled incorporate themselves in a hearing environment, but the Communicaid is designed just for that purpose. There are also two high quality microphones in the device that are designed to capture various other sounds and transfer them into a visual pattern for the user’s help.

2. Soft Touch

Soft Touch

This one is actually an alarm clock for those who are hearing impaired. This device comes with sensors that are integrated within them. The sensors play an useful role in making the user aware of any upcoming danger. To alert the user, the device actually has an inflatable wristband that comes attached with a micro pump. The micro pump in itself receives wireless signals which come from the base unit. The Soft Touch device can be worn around the wrist. As soon as it detects danger, it gently squeezes itself around the wrist of the user. This device also has many other uses as it can be connected to household gadgets like the telephone, doorbell. and even fire alarms and smoke alarms, all to alert the user.

3. Emergency alert device

Emergency alert device

This one might actually look a lot like a radio receiver, but is actually an emergency alert device for use by the hearing disabled. This device was made by British designer Sergej Kuckir and can be quite useful in emergency situations like natural disasters. The device emits high vibrations and even light signals to aware its user in what it feels are serious situations. The light signals are a lot reliable and quick than even many visual or sound gestures. This device actually was inspired by an egg and has a pretty sleek design. There is also a charging cradle in the device. The charging cradle doubles up as a timer or even an alarm clock. There is also the facility of a battery hold up which can be used in case of emergencies.

10 Cool and creative Christmas trees

Posted: 27 Dec 2011 11:21 PM PST

Sahil Khurana:

As everyone has his/her own concept of celebrating Christmas Day, it is to be seen how the spirit unites with nature during this holy month. This snowy festival has proudly been christened as the festival of giving and everyone follows the trend graciously. Here’s a list of some cool and creative Christmas trees for a fun filled holiday season. Read on to know more:

Volna: The unique artistic table for modern spaces

Posted: 27 Dec 2011 07:59 PM PST

Pragya Bhargavi:

Have you ever come across a furniture that not only serves its purpose, but also forms a beautiful piece of art? If not, have a look at the most extraordinary Volna table that has been created by a Turkish design studio, Nuvist. This floor-mounted table is breathtakingly beautiful and its royal look makes it a perfect example of both functional and a decorative furniture.

Volna

Picture Gallery

Volna

Floor-Mounted Table by Nuvist

This exceptional Volna table is the result of a unique combination of the latest innovative technologies and high-quality modern materials. The design of this table has been inspired by the flow of liquid. The soft unbroken curves of Volna give it a wave-like appearance, which fills the whole space with an unlimited magical energy. Its presence mesmerizes the surrounding and leaves you spellbound. The smooth and glossy surface of the table looks sophisticated and fashionable, yet there is something special about Volna that makes you feel peaceful and calm.

The delightful design helps the table to easily become a part of any kind of contemporary interiors. Whether it is your living room, office, hotel or any other place, Volna fills it with an unmatched elegance and charm. The table comes in different styles and you can easily choose the one that goes with your taste and mood. All the designs are superb and they provide you with lots of scope to be creative.

Bring home the luxurious Volna that radiates an aura of style. Flaunt your great taste and personality and be ready for loads of appreciations.

Via: Nuvist