How does a deaf or mute person use a smart speaker’s voice assistant? This concept tries to build a more inclusive smart speaker

Here’s a question nobody probably ever thought of… how do deaf and mute people communicate with voice assistants? Or specifically, with smart speakers? It’s a question that Jinni, a sign-language-based smart assistant, hopes to answer.

While the most obvious use for a smart speaker is to listen to music and podcasts, the ubiquitous little gadget has much more far-reaching features, allowing users to ask questions, get alerts and weather updates, and most importantly, control aspects of one’s smart home, like the lights, thermostat, security cameras, etc… so when the smart speaker almost solely works on voice commands, its interface practically alienates an entire group of people with special needs who don’t rely on voice commands.

Designed to include a camera that can read sign language inputs, and a large screen that can communicate with its user, Jinni brings the power of virtual assistants to a subset of people that are often sidelined when designing mainstream tech. Relying on visual cues instead of audio ones, the Jinni can easily interface with people fluent in sign language, offering a more natural input technique for them. Responses are provided through Jinni’s large circular screen, taking audio entirely out of the equation. Just as the smart speaker is a ubiquitous little gadget in homes, Jinni hopes to do the same for the deaf and mute communities, giving them the same access to life-changing tech. The speaker concept runs on a battery (so it can be carried to different rooms) and even comes with a charging dock/mat to juice it up after a day’s use.

The Jinni is a winner of the Red Dot Design Concept Award for the year 2021.

Designer: Zhong Zuozheng

The post How does a deaf or mute person use a smart speaker’s voice assistant? This concept tries to build a more inclusive smart speaker first appeared on Yanko Design.

Connecting Vibrations

MUTE is a musical instrument created with cooperation from the Shema organization to help educate partially and fully deaf children so they can share the joy of self-expression with the rest of the world.

In designing the tool, Gal Zharski asked himself “How does a sound feel?” Bone conduction technology became an obvious option as it allows sounds to be felt throughout the bones in the body. The system utilizes four controllers (two held in the hands and two worn on the legs) that map the space and translate hand/food movements into vibrations with varying intensity and rate. Depending on how the user moves or “plays” the instrument, the vibrations will adjust along with the outputted music. Traditional instruments like a guitar or drums can even be mimicked and edited using the accompanying application. It transforms what was once a defining difference between those who can hear and those who can’t is now a collaborative platform for everyone!

Designer: Gal Zharski

mute_music_for_deaf_layout

mute_02

mute_03

mute_06

mute_00

mute_01

mute_07

mute_09

mute_08

Donald Trump really wants to be allowed to block people on Twitter

If there's one thing President Donald Trump has made clear during his time in office so far, it's that he's a big fan of Twitter. And that includes -- as recent legal battles demonstrate -- blocking users that disagree with his views. And even though...

Duncan Jones’ sci-fi movie ‘Mute’ debuts on Netflix February 23rd

Duncan Jones' next movie won't be coming to theaters -- it's going straight to streaming. The Moon and Warcraft director has revealed that his long-in-the-making sci-fi film noire, Mute, will premiere on Netflix February 23rd. The movie is set in a f...