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Sensory Design

Tactile creations cater to special consumer needs

Implications - According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 135 million people worldwide are visually impaired and 278 million people have moderate to profound hearing loss in both ears. Statistics like these means this consumer demographic can no longer be ignored; as such, more and more innovations are catering to these specific needs. From tactile watches to employment opportunities for those hard of hearing, these specially targeted innovations will only continue to increase in demand.
Trend Themes
1. Accessibility Innovation - The growing trend of accessibility innovation caters to the needs of visually and hearing-impaired individuals and provides product opportunities for businesses.
2. Tactile and Braille Technology - The usage of tactile and braille technology in watches and gadgets that assist the blind provides opportunities for companies to produce innovative products for this consumer demographic.
3. Social Enterprises for the Disadvantaged - Social enterprises that provide employment opportunities for disadvantaged individuals such as Mirakle Couriers provide promising business models for companies to address social problems while building a sustainable business model.
Industry Implications
1. Accessibility Technology - Companies in the accessibility technology industry can produce innovative products such as sensory design and tactile timekeepers that cater to visually and hearing-impaired individuals.
2. Social Enterprises - Companies in the social enterprise industry can provide employment opportunities for disadvantaged individuals using business models similar to Mirakle Couriers.
3. Cookware Manufacturing - Companies in the cookware manufacturing industry can create user-friendly and safe kitchen utensils designed for visually and hearing-impaired individuals such as Sento Cookware.
4.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
8 Featured, 57 Examples:
770,282 Total Clicks
Date Range:
Sep 10 — Oct 11
Trending:
Warm
Consumer Insight Topics:

Featured Examples

Sensational Tactile Timepieces
Sensational Tactile Timepieces
The Rub. Feel. Know Watch Gives You a Sense of the Hour
For many, looking at their wristwatch to read the time is not an issue, but for the visually impaired population, something like the Rub. Feel. Know Watch is sure to enhance one's independence. There… MORE
Rolling Braille Readers
Rolling Braille Readers
Wonkook Lee's Snail Reader Revolutionizes Reading
The Wonkook Lee Snail reader is a tiny technological gadget that has the potential to revolutionize reading for the blind! The Wonkook Lee Snail is a small rolling wheel device which is pressure-activated… MORE
play_circle_filled Tactile Timekeepers
Tactile Timekeepers
The Haptica Braille Watch Indicates the Hour to Your Fingertips
There are a couple of means by which the visually impaired can check the time; however, neither quite matches the intuitive potential of the Haptica Braille Watch. Designed by David Chavez, this textured… MORE
Blind Architect Consultants
Blind Architect Consultants
Chris Downey Turns Tragedy Into an Innovative New Gig
Architect Chris Downey shows that if tragedy befalls you, you can still pick up the pieces and run with what you've got. He suffered from a tumor that left him completely blind. Instead of crawling into… MORE
Transmuting Multimedia Gloves
Transmuting Multimedia Gloves
The 'Panopticon' Device Will Read to You Aloud
Developed by Joshua Sin is an innovative piece of technology called the 'Panopticon' device. Worn on the hand between the index finger, the thumb and the wrist, this intelligent accessory is intended to… MORE
Tactile Cooking Utensils
Tactile Cooking Utensils
Sento Cookware Provides Safe and Easy Kitchen Supplies for the Blind
Sento Cookware has created a line of cookware that will help the blind and seeing impaired. For most people cooking can be a difficult process and sometimes not the safest, but for the seeing impaired,… MORE
Colorblind Traffic Lights
Colorblind Traffic Lights
The UNIsignal Incorporates Shapes into Stoplights for Accessibility
UNISignal is a new design for traffic lights that will better enable the colorblind and visually impaired to distinguish when it is safe to go. The new traffic light is basically the same, but with the… MORE
play_circle_filled Magnanimous Mailing Services
Magnanimous Mailing Services
Mumbai's Mirakle Couriers Gives the Disadvantaged Much-Needed Work
The Indian subcontinent is currently in the throes of an almost-American entrepreneurial boom -- social businesses like Mirakle Couriers only serve to edify the innovative climate that exists in cities… MORE

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Dr. Jordan Kassalow, Founder and CEO of VisionSpring (INTERVIEW)
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