The conceptual 'Jinni' smart assistant is an intuitive piece of smart home equipment for the hard-of-hearing community that would provide them with a way to maintain connectivity without having to rely on auditory feedback or verbal cues. The unit is equipped with a camera that is capable of interpreting sign language and will communicate with the user via a large built-in display. These features would make the unit ideal for those in the deaf community to help them perform tasks through a smart assistant in a way that suits their abilities.
The conceptual 'Jinni' smart assistant device is the design work of Zhong Zuozheng and is the winner of the 2021 Red Dot Design Concept Award.
Sign Language Smart Assistants
The 'Jinni' Smart Assistant is for the Heard-of-Hearing Community
Trend Themes
1. Sign Language Smart Assistants - Smart assistants with the ability to interpret sign language will become more prevalent, providing increased accessibility for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
2. Accessible Smart Home Technology - The development of smart home technology that is designed with accessibility in mind will expand, creating new opportunities for companies to create innovative products for underserved communities.
3. Visual Communication Tools - The increased use of visual communication tools, such as cameras and displays, will become more widespread as a way to improve accessibility and inclusivity in various industries.
Industry Implications
1. Smart Home Technology - Companies in the smart home technology industry can create and market accessibility-focused products like the 'Jinni' smart assistant to cater to the needs of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
2. Assistive Technology - The development of assistive technology will expand to create more inclusive products for disabled individuals that cater to their specific needs and abilities.
3. Language Translation Services - Language translation services can incorporate sign language interpretation as an additional feature to improve accessibility for users who rely on visual communication methods.