Tag Archives: communication device

This desktop gadget helps students study on their own by making them more social

Posted on by

Although many schools have returned to traditional face-to-face interactions, there are still some that utilize online classes. Even without these more recent changes in school systems around the world, there have always been times when students had to face their school work on their own, separated from classmates and friends. Of course, smartphones and computers make connecting with others remotely all too easy to the point that they become distractions instead. Striking a balance between focus and socialization in the age of the Internet can be a daunting prospect for both students and their parents; that’s why this rather curious touch screen device tries to perform that delicate dance by connecting students to one another without becoming a distraction.

Designers: Simay Tokus, Muhammet Uzuntas, Brenda Gallardo Flores

Self-study has long been encouraged by many education systems, but let’s face it, few students really enjoy and thrive in that environment. While they may be able to focus for some time, they eventually find themselves craving a connection with their classmates, especially when they come across a problem they can’t solve on their own. Smartphones and the Internet break down barriers and connect students to one another easily. Unfortunately, they also become a source of distraction, even when the screen is turned off.

Summy is a dedicated device designed to keep students connected while still setting up limits to how many interruptions they can do. At its most basic, the device is a voice messenger, a timer, a daily planner, and a sort of social network among friends, most likely students in the same class or level. The idea is that you only get to send short voice messages to those in your circle, at least only when they’re available.

1

The device uses a UI made of concentric circles and icons represented by old-school monochrome 8-bit characters. Tapping on a friend’s icon allows you to send a voice message, which is more limited and less disruptive than a voice call. You can view other friends’ daily schedules, and if they’re free, you can send a “Study with Me” request so that both of you can set a synchronized timer to study for the same time period.

Summy creates a rather playful atmosphere around the concept of studying together, even remotely, making it easier for students, especially younger ones, to adjust to the system that might remind them of mobile games that have short bursts of activity and communication only. The spherical shape of the device reinforces that playful character, especially with how the screen flips over to turn off the device. Of course, this only works if the student has a number of friends willing to play the same “game,” but Summy can also be a fun gadget to keep tabs on their own time and maybe have a retro display on their desk to keep them entertained.

1

The post This desktop gadget helps students study on their own by making them more social first appeared on Yanko Design.

This innovative sports communication device lets you share the thrills at every turn

Posted on by

Whether you’re doing sports for health benefits or performing extreme sports stunts, chances are you will have family or friends whom you’d want to share those moments with. Action cameras were born for that very reason, but they’re mostly for sharing your adventures after the fact. Real-time communication while skiing or cycling is practically impossible in most conditions, increasing the safety risks and dangers of these sports. Shouting at the top of your lungs is pretty pointless and only adds to the pressure in what could already be stressful situations. Fortunately, that archaic communication method is no longer necessary now that YoAudio has jumped into the fray, bringing the power of technology to let you easily share not only the thrills but also the safety of your sports adventures.

Designer: YoAudio

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $299 (30% off). Hurry, only 15/65 left!

While certain sports like skiing, snowboarding, cycling, or hiking are undertaken by individuals, there’s no better way to really enjoy these sports than with a family or a group of other like-minded people. Some people even take it to the extreme, performing death-defying stunts that are meant to be seen or at least heard. Communicating over distances in these situations can already be difficult, but the environments of these particular sports make it almost impossible, even if you shout your head off.

High quality audio featuring wind reduction technology

Manage communication with one tap mute and unmute

Enter YoAudio, an innovative audio communication device that makes yelling a thing of the past. No bigger than the palm of your hand, the device easily clips to helmets and headgear, or you can directly hang it over your ear, just like a Bluetooth earpiece. In fact, YoAudio functions in the same way, harnessing the power of Bluetooth 5.1 technology to enable clear communication with other YoAudio wearers from a distance of over 2,000ft. Spotty cellular reception, which is often the case in remote areas, will no longer be a problem.

YoAudio might look small, but it packs quite a punch when it comes to features. All-day battery life gives you peace of mind knowing that you will be able to keep in touch with others no matter how long the adventure takes. With a single tap, you can mute or unmute the device, ensuring that your hands are where they should be most of the time. Its rugged design and water resistance ensure that it’ll still keep working even if you face plant on the snow, which everyone will now be able to hear in crystal-clear audio.

Whether you’re cycling off the beaten path with family or doing ski tricks down the slope with friends, YoAudio will make sure you’re always connected and heard, sharing both the joys and the dangers of your little adventures. And for only $199 for a Super Early Bird Dual Pack, you get two units to share with your partner or friend. Never worry again about not being heard with the clear and reliable YoAudio communication device.

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $299 (30% off). Hurry, only 15/65 left!

The post This innovative sports communication device lets you share the thrills at every turn first appeared on Yanko Design.

This transparent display for captions designed for the DHH community makes sure facial expressions aren’t missed!

Posted on by

See-Through Captions is a simple, understated solution for the DHH community that uses a transparent subtitle display screen to project conversations with ASR technology and incorporate facial expressions to bridge communication gaps between DHH and hearing individuals.

While there are some adaptive designs that aim to help those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH), most of them rely too heavily on subtitles and audio, losing out on physical gestures and facial expressions. Some products are designed to convert sign language to text, some AI robots are meant to replace hearing dogs, and then there’s even a wearable device that translates sign language into speech. Awarded by James Dyson with Japan’s highest award, a team of designers from Digital Nature Group developed a new solution for bridging communication gaps between hearing and hard-of-hearing folks called See-Through Captions.

Developed for those who are deaf or experience varying levels of hearing loss, See-Through Captions was designed by a team of hearing and deaf individuals and tested in real-life situations to ensure its effectiveness. See-Through Captions is essentially a transparent projector that converts audio to subtitles and displays those conversations on its two-way screen. Since most pre-existing related products only focus on translating audio to subtitles, Digital Nature Group gave See-Through Captions a transparent screen to guarantee that users’ facial expressions and physical gestures aren’t missed. In addition to the incorporation of physical expression, Digital Nature Group improved its automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology to optimize real-time captioning and ensure an accurate relay of communication.

The See-Through Captions product comes in two different physical forms, stationary and portable, so the ASR technology can be applied across different interactions. In developing See-Through Captions, Digital Nature Group demonstrated different prototypes in a museum setting. In the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, See-Through Captions was used in its stationary form at the museum’s front desk as well as its portable form on guided tours. Following its demonstration, Digital Nature Group decided some improvements could be made to the size and amount of text displayed on the portable product. Overall, See-Through Captions is a simple, understated solution for the DHH community that incorporates facial expression as well as accurate ASR technology to bridge communication gaps between DHH and hearing individuals.

Designer: Digital Nature Group

On a transparent screen, ASR technology converts audio to subtitles in real time. 

The transparent screen allows DHH individuals to maintain eye contact while engaging with hearing people. 

The portable form of See-Through Captions is handheld and can be applied in social settings such as guided tours and offsite meetings. 

After using prototypes in real-life situations, Digital Nature Group is improving the amount and visibility of text on the screen. 

Cognixion’s newest wearable is a brain-computer interface that uses AR to convert thought into speech!

Posted on by

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) are essentially communication devices that acquire brain signals to then translate into electrical signals, which are ultimately used to control a device’s operating and navigation system. BCIs were initially developed as assistive devices used to aid people with complex communication disorders such as ALS, muscular dystrophy, and Cerebral Palsy. Since their conception, BCIs have grown with the time’s technological advancements, coming equipped with features such as augmented-reality and robot control. Today, Cognixion ONE, a wearable speech-generating device with AR, is the latest BCI innovation and the first of its kind.

Conixion ONE works simply by strapping the headset on and letting the AR interface guide its user through communication processes. Six non-invasive electrodes manage brain communication by determining where the signals are coming from within the brain and translate its signals into electrical signals that guide users through features like a context-aware predictive keyboard, radial sentence builder tools, an integrated AI assistant, and data streaming. The headset’s dual-display allows users to ask or answer questions, with their responses then getting broadcasted on the display’s front-facing screen. The headset’s AR environment registers signals coming from head movement, voice commands, BCI, and switch controls. Cognixion ONE also comes enabled with 4G LTE to allow for full functionality even on the go and equipped with a USB-C charging port.

The makers behind Cognixion ONE designed the BCI out of necessity– there’s not another BCI on the market that enjoys its many features. Developed by a team of neurologists, biosignal engineers, Speech-Language Pathologists, special educators, as well as individuals who actually use AAC/AT tools in everyday life, Cognixion ONE evolved into the world’s first BCI to use AR to translate thought into speech. With such a well-endowed team of innovators, Cognixion ONE is able to offer speech and an integrated AI assistant for home automation control.

Designer: Cognixion

Cognixion ONE is completely wireless and comes equipped with 4G LTE for use on-the-go!

Cognixion ONE’s headset forms to the person wearing it, adapting to any brain and head shape and size.

Cognixion ONE’s headset registers signal from head pointing, BCI, or switch controls.

With added padding, the makers behind Cognixion ONE ensured that when wearing the headset, the user remains comfortable.

Through AR capabilities, Cognixion ONE guides users through display screens that help generate thought into speech.