CENTER FOR CREATIVE FORESIGHT
February 25, 2024
COMPENSATORY
DESIGN
Assistive technology aims to address or compensate for human limitations including severe disability that is estimated to adversely impact the lives of 3.8% of the global population (Cook and Polgar 2014).[1] The target users or customers of assistive technologies are those whose limitations are unusual or relatively more pronounced compared to those of the general population.
Assistive technology solutions can be standalone products or
modifications to existing devices, such as homes, cars, or furniture. The key
limitations of interest include sensing, cognition, memory, knowledge, skill,
communication, and mobility. These provides also provide us with a convenient
basis for grouping assistive technologies. For example, some of the earliest
and best-known examples of assistive technologies include Braille writing
systems,[2]
hearing aids,[3]
and wheelchairs[4]
address limitations relating to sensing, communication, and mobility.[5]
PRODUCTS
AND SOLUTIONS
It
is helpful to categorize the tools based on the type of support they provide to
individual users by addressing the limitations identified above including
sensing, cognition, memory, knowledge, skill, communication, and mobility.
SENSING
AIDS
Sensing
aids are devices that assist individuals who have limitations related to their
sensory abilities, such as vision, touch, or hearing. These tools include
devices like hearing aids, tactile feedback systems, and visual aids that help
navigate physical environment the environment.
The
most common sensing aids compensate for limitations to vision and hearing. The
most common aids for individuals with diminished but still present abilities to
see and hear are vision and hearing aids. Advanced vision technologies, such as
tunable eyeglasses (Chen et al. 2021),[6]
and sophisticated hearing aids with cutting-edge noise filters[7] cater
to this market need.
It
is commonly seen that sensing aids often resort to augmenting functioning
senses to support the loss of faculty in another sense. For example, technology
can be used to represent auditory information as text or visual information in
the form of audio. For individuals who are deaf-blind products that use visual
and auditory signals to tactile signals offer promise (Gollner et al. 2012).[8]
COGNITIVE
AND MEMORY SUPPORT
For
individuals facing challenges with cognition or memory, there are technologies
designed to assist in daily decision-making, remind them of important tasks or
events, and support their ability to engage with others. These solutions can
range from simple apps that help with organization and memory to more complex
systems that aid in problem-solving. The use of mnemonics, music, and games can
also serve as memory aids and can be used alongside other technologies to
augment their use.
For
example, one memory-related challenge involves the limitations of being able to
retain codes or passwords both in the short and long term. Here, the use of
mnemonic devices could prove handy to improve recognition and recall.
Similarly, games can be used to improve memory for individuals with Alzheimer's
disease and could also be incorporated into other devices, such as the
gamification of online shopping.
KNOWLEDGE
AND SKILL ENHANCEMENT
Assistive
technologies also play a vital role in helping individuals acquire or
compensate for gaps in knowledge and skills. This includes devices and software
that aid in learning, such as educational apps tailored for individuals with
learning disabilities, and tools that provide alternative ways of accessing
computers and the web, like improved screen readers for those with visual
impairments.
Skill
aids are particularly important as they enable users to develop new
competencies or more easily perform tasks that would otherwise be challenging.
Skill aids are technologies that compensate for low levels of skill. One key
area where constant innovation is required is the use of assistive devices for
accessing computers and the web such as improved screen readers.[9]
Older
users might observe a decline in certain critical skills, such as the ability
to drive or cook. Some of these declines may be related to loss of senses.
Assistive technology may involve re-training or reskilling technology as well
as tools that compensate for the loss of skills.
COMMUNICATION
AIDS
Communication
is fundamental to social interaction and personal independence. Assistive
technologies in this area aim to support individuals who have difficulty with
verbal or written communication. Some of the other areas where communication
aids are helpful include (1) communication aids for patients whose ability to
speak is impaired during illness or the process of medical treatment, (2)
interaction between caretaker and patient who speak different languages, and
(3) loss of communication capabilities.
Individuals
who experience an inability in the ability to communicate due to health
conditions such as strokes or cerebral palsy (Freund et al. 2022)[10]
can benefit from information and communication devices (Griffiths and Addison
2017).[11]
These
can include speech-generating devices, communication boards, and software that
supports alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) methods.
Communication aids can be simple, such as the use of mnemonics or symbolic
languages for communication.
MOBILITY
AIDS
Mobility
aids help users get around and compensate for limitations to motion.
Mobility-related aids encompass a variety of devices designed to assist
individuals with motion-related limitations including canes, functional
electrical stimulation systems, gait trainers, orthotic devices, prosthetic
limbs, scooters, standing frames, walkers, wearable exoskeletons, and
wheelchairs (Cowan et al. 2012).[12]
Mobility device companies include Invacare Corporation, Sunrise Medical, and
Permobil. Limitations to mobility may be linked to old age as well as specific
illnesses or ailments including diabetes[13]
and Parkinson's disease (PD).[14]
Another
opportunity for innovation is the development or tools that can protect or warn
the user while moving. Efforts are underway to develop devices capable of
preventing falls (Hseieh et al. 2023)[15] or
alerting users, thereby offering support to individuals. A common challenge for
older individuals is difficulty in climbing stairs. Intersectional
opportunities include the design of wheelchairs for children with disabilities
such as the one in the following video.
MARKET
POTENTIAL
The
global market for assistive technologies is over USD 50 Billion.[16]
The need for assistive technologies is expected to expand significantly with
over 3.5 billion users estimated for such technologies by 2030.[17]
Older individuals represent a growing demographic in many developing countries,
indicating an expanding market for assistive tools and technologies. In 2022,
Americans aged 65 and over numbered over 58 million, with expectations to grow
to 82 million by 2050.[18]
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 2.5 billion people
globally need assistive products, however many of those in need do not have
access to or cannot afford such products.[19]
ENABLING
INNOVATIONS
Technologies
relevant to the domain of assistive technologies include robotics,[20]
sensors, computer vision,[21]
bioinspired design, artificial intelligence (AI), brain-computer interfaces,[22]
virtual reality, haptics, wearable devices, and speech recognition systems.
Technologies used for space applications offer another source of inspiration,
as in the past when products such as cochlear implants originated in NASA
research.[23]
Convergent
solutions that provide support for users with multiple needs. We anticipate
increased use of wearable devices that monitor health conditions in real time
while providing other forms of accessibility support. These devices not only
provide medication reminders but also assist with mobility and navigation for
people with disabilities.
BIOINSPIRED
DESIGN
One
promising area of exploration is using nature as a source of inspiration for
assistive devices. A well-known example is the use of smart canes for the
elderly that use the principle of echolocation seen in bats and dolphins.[24]
ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE
AI
technology significantly contributes to the advancement of several assistive
technologies. However, one concern is whether the use of AI can make products
more complex to use, and security concerns. Tools for users with special
learning needs related to autism are another important where AI may prove
fruitful.[25]
Improvement
in AI technology is expected to power a new generation of assistive devices
through advances in capabilities such as computer vision and speech
recognition.[26]
The rise of Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT has
spurred the development of accessibility technologies such as interactive smart
glasses. LLMs can support the development of assistive technologies by helping
identify, refine, and visualize ideas (Eapen et al. 2023).[27]
DESIGNING
A UNIVERSAL ASSISTIVE DEVICE
It
may be helpful to think about an ideal universal-assistive device (UAD), which
could support multiple user limitations. Such an ideal device would be able to
improve the sensing, cognition, memory, knowledge, skill, communication, and
mobility of users. Such a product could take the form of a wearable device such
as a smartwatch or could be integrated into a mobility device such as a smart
cane or a wheelchair.
DESIGNING
FOR ACCESSIBILITY
Businesses
should increasingly concentrate on providing older users or those with
disabilities the means to navigate their products or services more effectively.
Manufacturers should also examine ways in which used products can be repaired
or repurposed rather than dispose of such technologies. There is a need to
develop low-cost solutions for the developing world. The post-Covid era has
seen a demand for tools that support the mental and emotional health of users.
The Accessibility Design GPT enables users to swiftly analyze their business,
product, or service, identifying areas where accessibility can be enhanced for
individuals with disabilities or other limitations that hinder their ability to
utilize your offerings.
[1] Cook, Albert M., and Janice
Miller Polgar. Assistive Technologies: Principles and Practice. Elsevier Health
Sciences, 2014.
[2] American Council of the
Blind. “Description and History of Braille.” Accessed February 22, 2024. https://www.acb.org/history-of-braille.
[3] Valentinuzzi, Max. “Hearing
Aid History: From Ear Trumpets to Digital Technology.” IEEE EMBS, October 23,
2020. https://www.embs.org/pulse/articles/hearing-aid-history-from-ear-trumpets-to-digital-technology/.
[4] United Spinal Association.
“Wheelchairs - the Evolution,” September 19, 2019. https://unitedspinal.org/wheelchairs-the-evolution/.
[5] Flexer, Scott. “Assistive
Devices for Disability: Past, Present, and Future.”
www.disabilityexpertsfl.com, March 31, 2020. https://www.disabilityexpertsfl.com/blog/assistive-devices-for-disability-past-present-and-future.
[6] Chen, Leihao, Michele
Ghilardi, James JC Busfield, and Federico Carpi. "Electrically tunable
lenses: a review." Frontiers in Robotics and AI 8 (2021): 678046. https://doi.org/10.3389/frobt.2021.678046.
[7] KIND. “Innovations in
Hearing Aid Technology.” Accessed February 22, 2024. https://www.kind.com/en-sg/magazine/smart-hearing/innovations-in-hearing-aid-technology/.
[8] Gollner, Ulrike, Tom
Bieling, and Gesche Joost. "Mobile lorm glove: introducing a communication
device for deaf-blind people." In Proceedings of the sixth international
conference on tangible, embedded and embodied interaction, pp. 127-130. 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/2148131.2148159.
[9] Berkeley Digital
Accessibility. “Types of Assistive Technology | Digital Accessibility.”
Accessed February 15, 2024. https://dap.berkeley.edu/types-assistive-technology.
[10] Freund, Megan, Mariko Carey,
Sophie Dilworth, Amy Waller, Elise Mansfield, Anna Rose, Renate Thienel, and
Lisa Hyde. "Effectiveness of information and communications technology
interventions for stroke survivors and their support people: a systematic
review." Disability and Rehabilitation 44, no. 17 (2022): 4563-4578. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2021.1913245.
[11] Griffiths, Tom, and Anne
Addison. "Access to communication technology for children with cerebral
palsy." Paediatrics and Child Health 27, no. 10 (2017): 470-475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paed.2017.06.005.
[12] Cowan, Rachel E., Benjamin
J. Fregly, Michael L. Boninger, Leighton Chan, Mary M. Rodgers, and David J.
Reinkensmeyer. "Recent trends in assistive technology for mobility."
Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation 9, no. 1 (2012): 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-0003-9-20.
[13] WHO. “Increasing Access to
Assistive Technology and Rehabilitation for People Living with Diabetes,”
November 13, 2023. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/increasing-access-to-assistive-technology-and-rehabilitation-for-people-living-with-diabetes.
[14] Parkinson’s Foundation.
“Mobility.” Accessed February 22, 2024. https://www.parkinson.org/living-with-parkinsons/management/activities-daily-living/mobility.
[15] Hsieh, Katherine L., Lingjun
Chen, and Jacob J. Sosnoff. “Mobile technology for falls prevention in older
adults.” The Journals of Gerontology: Series A 78, no. 5 (2023): 861-868. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glac116/.
[16] BCC Research. “Disabled and
Elderly Assistive Technologies: HLC047E | BCC Research.” Accessed February 15,
2024. https://www.bccresearch.com/market-research/healthcare/disabled-elderly-assist-technologies-report.html.
[17] World Economic Forum. “How
Sovereign Funds Could Empower the Future of Assistive Technology and Disability
AI,” August 15, 2023. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/08/sovereign-funds-future-assistive-technology-disability-ai/.
[18] Mather, Mark, Paola
Scommegna, and Lillian Kilduff. “Fact Sheet: Aging in the United States.”
Population Reference Bureau, July 15, 2019. https://www.prb.org/resources/fact-sheet-aging-in-the-united-states/.
[19] WHO. “Assistive Technology.”
World Health Organization, May 15, 2023. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/assistive-technology.
[20] Weber, Douglas, and Amos
Matsiko. "Assistive robotics should seamlessly integrate humans and
robots." Science Robotics 8, no. 83 (2023): eadl0014. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.adl0014.
[21] Leo, Marco, G. Medioni, M.
Trivedi, Takeo Kanade, and Giovanni Maria Farinella. "Computer vision for
assistive technologies." Computer Vision and Image Understanding 154
(2017): 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cviu.2016.09.001.
[22] Karas, Kaan, Luca Pozzi,
Alessandra Pedrocchi, Francesco Braghin, and Loris Roveda. "Brain-computer
interface for robot control with eye artifacts for assistive
applications." Scientific Reports 13, no. 1 (2023): 17512. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-44645-y.
[23] NASA. “NASA Makes It Easier
to Find Assistive Technologies for Licensing - NASA,” October 17, 2023. https://www.nasa.gov/technology/tech-transfer-spinoffs/nasa-makes-it-easier-to-find-assistive-technologies-for-licensing/.
[24] Ifukube, Tohru, Tadayuki
Sasaki, and Chen Peng. "A blind mobility aid modeled after echolocation of
bats." IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering 38, no. 5 (1991):
461-465. https://doi.org/10.1109/10.81565.
[25] Rudy, Lisa Jo. “Overview of
Assistive Technology for Autism.” Verywell Health, February 8, 2021. https://www.verywellhealth.com/assistive-technology-for-autism-5076159.
[26] Axios. “Assistive Technology
Is AI’s next Billion-Person Market,” January 12, 2024. https://www.axios.com/2024/01/12/ai-assistive-technology-accessibility#.
[27] Eapen, Tojin T., Daniel J.
Finkenstadt, Josh Folk, and Lokesh Venkataswamy. “How Generative AI Can Augment
Human Creativity.” Harvard Business Review, July 2023. https://hbr.org/2023/07/how-generative-ai-can-augment-human-creativity.