The Unfolding Space Glove: A Wearable for the Visually Impaired

Explore the innovative Unfolding Space Glove, a wearable device designed to assist visually impaired individuals in navigating their surroundings. Learn about this sensory substitution technology that translates 3D vision into haptic stimuli on the back of the hand, enabling users to perceive the depth and layout of their environment. Discover the journey from initial prototypes to empirical studies, and gain insights into the hardware and software powering this open-source project. Understand the challenges faced by individuals with visual impairments and how this portable, unobtrusive device addresses usability concerns often overlooked in existing assistive technologies. Delve into the principles of sensory substitution, the importance of brain plasticity in adapting to new stimuli, and the four-year interaction design research process behind the glove's development. Examine the results of empirical testing with both sighted and blind subjects, and consider the potential impact of this technology on improving independence and quality of life for visually impaired people.