Designing a product that imitates and substitutes a guide companion for the visually impaired

Wai Dik Au, Yi Teng Shih

Research output: Chapter in book / Conference proceedingConference article published in proceeding or bookAcademic researchpeer-review

Abstract

When designing a product for visually impaired people, considerations of their emotional struggles commonly go unaddressed. To counteract this, several studies conclude that having a companion-whether pet or human-reduces negative emotions in the user. Providing companionship is a key factor in training guide dogs. However, the lack of guide dogs in Hong Kong is a long-term issue, and the number of guide dogs is significantly below the recommended average ratio of 1:100. White canes are a useful tool but completely lack any quality of companionship. This brief research paper documents findings that could be used as considerations in the design of a conceptual product that could ultimately act as a substitute for guide dogs.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Conference on Design and Semantics of Form and Movement
EditorsMiguel Bruns, Lin-Lin Chen, Jun Hu, Sara Colombo, Yihyun Lim, Steven Kyffin, Ozcan Vieira, E. Jeroen Raijmakers, Lucia Rampino, Edgar Rodriguez Ramirez, Dagmar Johanna Steffen, Calvin Wong
PublisherThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Pages263-270
Number of pages8
ISBN (Print)9789623678704
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2023
Event12th International Conference on Design and Semantics of Form and Movement, DeSForM 2023 - Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Duration: 5 Jul 20237 Jul 2023

Publication series

NameInternational Conference on Design and Semantics of Form and Movement
ISSN (Electronic)2706-6150

Conference

Conference12th International Conference on Design and Semantics of Form and Movement, DeSForM 2023
Country/TerritoryHong Kong
CityHong Kong
Period5/07/237/07/23

Keywords

  • companion
  • conceptual product
  • design criteria
  • guide dog
  • Visually impaired

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Mechanics of Materials

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