Background

We wondered how a blind person would interact with a speaker and the answer was smart speakers! In our obsessing with speakers we found one interesting issue that is less about the practical convenience or making it speech related. Current smart speakers lack that personalised touch! Touch is important for the blind and we wanted to improve that experience. Is there an alternative physical interaction for the blind? Would it be dignifying if we could allow them to “see through touch”?

Approach

Our big idea came when we started comparing speakers to books…

• Books are easy to operate - everyone knows how to flip a book. Whereas smart speakers require you to set it up.

• Books - they give you a sense of anticipation, a surprise of an unfolding story, or entry into another world. Whereas smart speakers only play according to a request that is expected​​​​​​​

We wondered if we tapped into all these properties of a book, would we be able to create a smart speaker that uses touch in a dignified manner for the blind? So we set out to translate these properties of a book into a smart speaker.

Solution

Note was made using books as an inspiration to find new possibilities of a speaker for the blind. A mixtape for the blind with simple book gestures, simply open the book to start a song. Flip a page for a new genre, or flip back to play another song. Volume is adjusted on how wide the book opens.

Recognition

Featured in Yanko Design, Student.design, Trendhunter, GIZMODO, Kemiktivi and DID