First Zero-UI Sub-750-GBP Electronic Visual Aid That Can Make Video Calls
January 1, 2022
DOHD ROTU won Innovate UK support for the project publicly recorded as OXSIGHT AVA: Augmented Vision Assistant to Benefit the Visually Impaired.
The project originally envisaged as a build up on OXSIGHT's work with smart glasses for people with residual vision, including products for peripheral and central vision loss. Its aim was to help users connect more easily with their physical and social environments, increasing independence in navigation, interaction and day-to-day situational awareness. These experiences were delivered on DOHD ROTU's augmented communication platform.
For DOHD ROTU, the work connected functional programming, augmented communication and AI with a practical low-vision application. It helped establish the design direction that later became Ziru AV: a low-cost, zero-user-interface visual aid focused on useful assistance without complex controls.
In the future, Ziru AV assistant could support people beyond the original low-vision use case, including people with learning difficulties or sensory input disorders who may benefit from clearer, more tailored visual and audio cues.
