Videotelephony for blind people – case studies with high quality prototype and 3G mobile systems

Bjørn Hestnes, Telenor R&D

Peter Brooks, Teolys

Svein Heiestad, Telenor R&D

In collaboration with:

• Telenor R&D

• Teolys

• MediaLT

• Opplysningen AS

Videotelephony for blindA blind user calls an assistant to have described what is in his

vicinity

On the move

Reading text

Video quality to achieve all situations

Video quality to achieve all situations

3G Eyephone

• Project with:

– 10 test persons

– 10 friends that guide

– Opplysningen AS as additional guide centre

• Hand out 2 pieces 3G mobile phones to each

• Study user pattern for 4 months

• Study implications for Opplysningen as a guide service

Research Questions

Based on earlier results:

• Will 3G videotelephony be perceived as "good enough"?

• Will selected friends and family be the guide?

• Will Opplysningen AS be the supplimented guide service

– (for example for confidential topics)?

Guide dog training

Conclusions• Totally, 100 test persons in the project, 10 for 3G

• Used for:– Regain control when lost

– Find something lost

– To operate devices (mini-bank, washing machine)

– Reading text (signs, soup packet instructions)

• Though too poor quality (for certain situations), users adopt– Inadequate for:

– Viewing the environment with many details

– Reading small text

• The users feel safer with the Eye-phone

• Range of movement has expanded

• Close family feels more relaxed