For generations, classic games like Uno have brought people together for friendly competition. But for the estimated 300 million people worldwide with color blindness, these games haven’t always been accessible. Mattel, the iconic toymaker behind these beloved games, is making a significant stride towards inclusivity. They recently announced that by the end of 2024, 80% of their global games portfolio will be colorblind accessible, with that number rising to 90% by the end of 2025.
Designer: Mattel
This update isn’t a radical overhaul. Instead, it involves subtle design tweaks that ensure gameplay isn’t hindered by color vision deficiency. For instance, Uno will now feature symbols alongside the traditional colors and numbers. A square represents blue, a circle red, a diamond yellow, and a triangle green. This way, players can identify cards based on the symbol without relying solely on color. Similarly, Blokus, a strategic board game, will incorporate patterns on its colored game pieces for better differentiation. These changes extend to other popular Mattel games like Dos, Phase 10, Skip-Bo, and Ker Plunk.
Partnering with ColorADD, a group specializing in colorblind-friendly design solutions, Mattel demonstrates a commitment to thoughtful implementation. This isn’t just about adding symbols; it’s about collaborating with experts to ensure the updates are effective for players with color blindness. The new features go beyond the games themselves. Updated instruction sheets will include dedicated sections for colorblind players, and the packaging will sport a special badge featuring a multicolored eye icon for easy identification.
I forgot what sci-fi TV show I was watching but in one of the scenes, a reptile-like creature attached itself to a human host, creating a human-reptile hybrid that could slither around quickly. It was an interesting part of the story but one that could also be the stuff of nightmares for those who have a fear of having extra limbs. But for speculative designers, this can actually become something that may be useful in the future.
The Augmented Limb project thinks of giving astronauts an extra lim to help them out when moving in zero gravity. The design is inspired by how animals like monkeys move in 3-dimensional space using their tails as extra limbs, as well as the motion of reptiles like snakes, and even dinosaur tails when it comes to structural integrity and rigidity.
What Cheng came up with is a tail-like limb that can be attached through a backpack-like contraption. This will allow astronauts, and maybe later on other space visitors, move better in zero gravity as the extra limb can wrap around your surroundings. It can also secure your position so the stress and pressure will not be all on your hands and feet.
Of course this limb system is still speculative but the prototypes he created shows the limb is able to wrap itself around branches so in theory it might work. It’s still better than creating actual human-reptile hybrids right?
Shenzhen Califor Design Co., Ltd., a Chinese design firm has demonstrated its commitment to inclusivity and innovation with the introduction of a groundbreaking learning device for the blind community. This inventive product merges education with entertainment, offering a unique way to learn Braille through an engaging ‘Whac-A-Mole’ style game. Recognizing the lack of attention often given to the visually impaired, especially in today’s fast-paced information age, Shenzhen Califor has created a device that brings both enjoyment and the benefits of technology to this community.
The new Braille learning device is ingeniously designed based on the six-dot arrangement rule of Braille, capable of simulating the configuration of all Braille characters. The device operates by pressing a large button at the bottom, which randomly selects letters. The six buttons on the keyboard then illuminate the corresponding Braille letters. Users complete the learning process by pressing the highlighted buttons in sequence, making Braille learning an intuitive and interactive experience.
A standout feature of this device is the use of buttons with a distinct texture on the top, enabling blind users to easily identify them by touch. Additionally, the button below features confirmation words, enhancing the practicality and user-friendliness of the device. The design incorporates larger, fingertip-sized dots, as opposed to the smaller dots found in standard Braille. This adjustment makes it easier for beginners to understand and retain the Braille alphabet, facilitating a smoother learning curve.
The device’s elongated shape, reminiscent of a handheld remote control, is both sleek and functional. Unlike a typical square design with popping dots, this device features dots on one side and a rounded edge on the other, allowing users to position it correctly with ease. Its long, flat design not only distributes weight evenly but also makes it comfortable for prolonged use. The compact and thin construction further adds to its convenience, making it ideal for extended learning sessions.
Despite its remote control-like appearance to sighted individuals, the device’s design includes a flat base, enabling blind users to place it on a table or floor for efficient use. This thoughtful design ensures that users can engage with the device comfortably and effectively.
According to the World Health Organization, falls, specifically for senior citizens, is a major public health problem. There are a lot who use canes and other walking aids but there are also some who prefer not to use any since they’re inconvenient at times or because of their pride. But we’re also seeing some aids that have become smarter and can adjust to the needs of those that need these tools to move around.
Designer: Claire Ko
Halo is one such tool that may appeal to those who are still hesitant to use canes because of their limitations. This one is a smart cane where you can adjust your smartphone so it can adjust its height automatically. It can adjust the height of the cane depending on the terrain that you’re walking on. This includes walking up and down the stairs, which is one of the most difficult daily tasks that senior citizens and other people with walking difficulties experience.
The Halo Smart Cane provides control to those using it as you are not limited to just the standard height of most canes. It also provides stability to the user as it will not let you slop or stumble even when it changes its height based on what the smartphone and the app detects. Once you attach your phone, there is a button on the cane that switches to automatic mode.
The height-adjustment mechanism included in the cane is still patent-pending but on paper, it is a pretty useful tool for those who need better assistance while walking. There isn’t a lot of detailed information yet on the materials used and the mechanism involved probably because of the ongoing patent application.
No one can escape the passage of time or how the body grows old and frail. We can really only delay the inevitable with a healthy lifestyle, but there will always come a time when we’ll need someone or something to lean on while walking or need to sit down more regularly even if there’s not a chair in sight. Walking aids and stools are common sights in everyday life, and products that combine these two are also no longer alien to our eyes. Unfortunately, most of them, while functional, are also unattractive and sometimes even difficult to use. They’re often a cause of embarrassment for users who’d rather leave these at home and endure discomfort rather than be seen using them. Fortunately, all hope is not lost and this rather unique “sitting cane” shows how a well-designed tool can be functional, beautiful, and uplifting all at the same time.
Made from a single piece of solid ash wood split in the middle and held together with six brass bolts, the SNILD, the Danish word for handy or dextrous, shatters expectations of what a walking aid should look like. Rather than a traditional stick or a rod that ends with legs at the bottom, it looks more like a tapered paper clip viewed from the front. The curved top and bottom edges along with the sloping sides give the tool a more elegant and stylish appearance, while also providing bigger surface areas for holding or standing on the floor. The loop at the top also lets you hoist the sitting cane over your shoulder if you need to make use of both hands.
Unlike walking aids that also function as stools, transforming the SNILD is as easy as pulling the top halves apart. This reveals a leather seat that is both durable and comfortable, and it uses simple physics to hold the person up. The rubber feet of the legs provide the necessary grip to prevent the stool or the cane from sliding.
More than its functionality, it’s the design and aesthetic that puts the SNILD above the rest. It has a dignified appearance that goes beyond a simple walking aid or seat, and that sense of dignity is transferred to the user who no longer feels the shame of carrying one. It is a part of the designer’s vision of Everyday Assistive Furniture (EAF) design furniture that’s not only a tool but can even be a source of pride and an heirloom for future generations.
Gaming controllers are primarily designed keeping in mind the needs of seasoned gamers who have razor-sharp reflexes and blazing reaction times. Most of the mainstream controllers don’t factor in the needs of disabled gamers who have accessibility issues. Major manufacturers like Sony and 8BitDo, however, have ventured down this road with the PlayStation 5 Access Controller and Lite SE controller respectively.
Along the same lines, this Windows-based gaming controller concept dubbed Free Play wants to give disabled gamers a level playing field when it comes to playing chart-topping games. The gadget achieves this without compromising on the form factor a normal gamepad relies on. Therefore, normal gamers can also use it without any problem.
The intended dual functionality of the gaming controller is achieved with modular control pods that can be placed around the console. With the rise in popularity of handheld gaming consoles, attention towards accessible controllers for the disabled is imminent. The design proposed here employs the modular buttons that settle inside the metal body and the ergonomic grips having flat surfaces as the viable solution. So, one can easily swap the D-Pad buttons to reside on the front rather than the sides. Customized sticks can be attached to the controller if the disabled gamer has problems holding on to the joystick with the thumb.
To keep it simple, the modular gaming controller has multiple configurations to play depending on the comfort level of the disabled person. Whether it’s using the controller with just one hand or situations where dexterity is not an option. Aiden has designed the bottom to be flat so that people with dexterity issues can easily lift the gadget from the surface. In addition to the buttons you would find on any normal controller, this one has tactile touchpoints to navigate controls. These tactile touchpoints can be placed at the back of the console or on the front. The size of all the buttons and triggers has been intentionally kept large for easier presses and navigation.
What technology is good if it is of no use to living souls? Meet Mo Ali, a 40-year-old from Brighton, West Sussex, who has just received the world’s first 3D-printed bionic fingers after toiling all his life with low confidence and major handicap in doing most tasks we would take for granted. He loved cycling right from his childhood when he unfortunately met with an accident in the kitchen, chopping off his fingers in a meat grinder. Not surprisingly, he was bullied by other kids due to this unfortunate disability.
He was always two steps behind others when it came to enjoying bicycle rides as he had to make unfruitful quick fixes like wearing a bike glove stuffed with tissues to have a better grip on the handlebar. Even worse, when he finally got a prosthetic hook operated by the force of the shoulder, prescribed by NHS as a glimmer of hope, things didn’t turn out as planned. The thing was heavy and uncomfortable, making it even more difficult to do the simplest of tasks. After only a day of use, he had to stop using it.
It was a compromised life after that as Ali coped with the disability by simply hiding it. Now Bristol-based Open Bionics has employed their advanced 3D printing and scanning technology to develop a prosthetic hand with independently moving fingers, which they call the Hero Gauntlet. According to Ali now he’s able to walk down the road without feeling the need to hide.’ Gaining more confidence in the prosthetic, he now says, “With the Hero Gauntlet, once I have a grip on something I know it’s not going anywhere.”
Mo has experimented with countless options in the last 15 years but with no success or even the slightest hope for his situation. Now with the innovative partial hand prosthetic custom-made for him, life is far better. The team at Open Bionics made use of 3D scanning, printing and modeling technology to craft this partial artificial hand with fingers. According to the developers, the prosthetic will be available for people with limb differences soon. The firm even claims that this gauntlet can help revive the hand functionality of ones born without fingers.
According to co-founder, Samantha Payne, “It’s pure joy to see this piece of engineering have a positive physical and emotional impact on Mo’s life.” For us, it’s heartening to see a life-changing transition that technology has made possible. The world needs more of this!
Reading is already a difficult task for people with visual impairments, but it’s especially challenging when it comes to material that involves a lot of visual elements. Adults might have not much of a problem visualizing those words in their minds, but children who are still developing their mental libraries will probably have a harder time. Fairy tales and fictional books with fantasy elements are examples of these highly visual materials, and simply hearing the narration or feeling the words through Braille feels rather insufficient to capture the emotions and magic of the stories. This electronic book concept tries to offer an equally magical experience that makes the objects and scenes pop out from the book, almost literally.
Designers: Subin Kim, Yujeong Shin, Seungyeon Lee
It’s pretty amazing how blind and visually impaired people can read a book while sliding their hands across seemingly random dots, almost like magic. But the text on a page doesn’t exactly show the images associated with the words, relying on your imagination to conjure up those associations mentally. Of course, that comes almost like second nature for those with normal eyesight, but the visually impaired, especially younger ones, need a bigger boost to help match words with shapes and objects.
bbook is a concept for an electronic 3D book that provides all the necessary tools for a child with visual impairments to not only make sense of but also enjoy such fantastical books. It has an audio component that reads the book out loud, with large tactile buttons that let the reader skip forward or backward as desired. There’s also a dynamic Braille “page” where dots rise and sink as the words change.
The most interesting part of the book, however, is the fabric-like material on the opposite page. This soft material would also rise to create bumps but not as words in Braille but as actual three-dimensional objects related to the story being told. It could be Snow White’s apple, Cinderella’s glass slipper, or the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood. In addition to the educational value of this feature, it also helps make the story feel even more magical.
Every part of the 3D book was designed so that a visually impaired individual could use it without assistance. Even the charging indicators are elevating dots rather than LEDs so they can feel how much more time it needs. bbook also has a rather interesting feature where each individual story is inserted into the device like a USB stick, making each tale a memorable and magical experience.
There are a lot of well-designed wheelchairs currently in the market for those who need mobility aids to get around. Most of them use basically the same materials and will have a few differences in terms of features and functionality. A new wheelchair design that is eco-conscious but also aesthetically appealing was recently unveiled and its first beneficiary is one of the most famous people on Earth that needs a wheelchair to get around – Pope Francis.
The Apollo Wooden Wheelchair was designed by Paul de Livron, a French craftsman and designer who has been making his own wheelchair models ever since he broke his spine and had to use wheelchairs back in 2013. He was finally able to create a wooden wheelchair prototype that is eco-friendly and can use locally available materials as well as not so expensive and also not that complex.
Aside from the fact that the materials used are sustainable, the other “superpower” that the wooden wheelchair possesses is that it changes the way that other people will look at those who will be using this unique-looking mobility aid. The wooden aesthetic adds an interesting aspect to something that used to be purely functional and was in fact a source of embarrassment to some of its users.
Early last year, they presented an enhanced prototype of the wheelchair to Pope Francis who has been using a wheelchair to get around because of his constant knee pain. de Livron was actually given piece of wood from the medieval frame of the Notre-Dame Cathedral to incorporate into the wheelchair and he also put in some other religious details to make it a wheelchair worthy for a pope.
I’ve always said that great technology doesn’t cater only to the needs of the dominant 95%, it also factors in the needs of the often neglected 5%. To that end, AR technology is great, but it hasn’t been applied in a way that benefits the 5th percentile – and Cellico wants to change that. The medical-tech company unveiled the Eyecane AR glasses at MWC, the world’s first augmented reality device designed to correct age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Designed to look and feel like your standard sunglasses, the Eyecane AR helps people with retinal disease see clearly. A 4K camera at the center of the glasses records the world, feeding media into a tiny projected display within the Eyecane AR’s lenses. AMD causes blind spots within people’s vision, but the Eyecane AR’s cameras help fill in those blind spots with digitally captured imagery in real time, helping people see fully and clearly again.
A disease that affects as many as 1 in 200 people by the time they reach 60, going up as high as 1 in 5 people by the time they hit their 90s. The affliction, caused by the degeneration of the macula (the central part of the retina) results in blurry or sometimes even no vision in the center of your eye. Think of a large black dot in otherwise relatively clear vision. Given that a lot of the important things we see find themselves in this central zone, people with AMD can have a tough time looking at objects, identifying people, and navigating scenarios. Cellico’s solution is incredibly simple – have a camera capture whatever is in that gap, and display it in the corner of your eye, where you can still see things relatively clearly. Creating somewhat of a picture-in-picture effect, Eyecane AR allows people with AMD to regain vision in their macular region simply by having a camera capture it and display it in another part of their field of view.
A snap-on sunshade helps people see clearly in bright settings too
By harnessing the power of a compact 4K 20MP camera seamlessly integrated into smart glasses and complemented by an intuitive mobile app, Eyecane AR captures and processes real-time images with precision, even applying optical image stabilization. These images are then projected onto an augmented reality display in Full-HD, effectively shifting central vision to the peripheral field of view. This groundbreaking approach not only restores clarity but also rekindles independence for those navigating the challenges of AMD.
simulates how people with AMD perceive the world, and how the Eyecane AR can help fill in the gap with a PIP on the left side.
Moving the PIP to the center of the screen shows what images would look like for people with regular vision.
The beauty of the Eyecane AR lies in the fact that it can be used right out of the box without a hospital visit. The Eyecane app has a built-in scotometry program that analyzes your vision for you, pinpointing the blind spot or the problematic area in your vision. The app then helps the AR glasses’ camera calibrate and focus on that region, capturing the image and displaying it in a corner of your peripheral vision. The entire process takes mere minutes, and helps quickly restore macular vision simply by relying on the inherent properties of augmented reality displays!
Key Features of Eyecane AR:
4K camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) embedded in AR glasses
Mobile app featuring a customized image-processing engine
Full HD Reflective Freeform crystal Lens offering a Field of View (FoV) of 40°
Voice control functionality for seamless user interaction
Electric Auto Sunshade coated with an LC film, ensuring optimal visual comfort in diverse lighting conditions
Lightweight construction, crafted from Titanium and Ultem materials, prioritizing comfort and wearability
