This "sense making" platform for the blind uses 3D printing technology to help the visually impaired better understand things using their other senses. From the Hasso-Plattner Institute in Germany, Linespace is a 3D printed display that produces maps and graphs for blind people.
The tactile system prints information onto a screen for those with vision problems to interpret. Linespace addresses the problem many visually impaired people have with accessing maps and other complex graphic material. This could include touchable spreadsheets and other data visualizations blind and partially seeing people would not find accessible. This platform for the blind uses raised lines rather than braille to present the information all at once, thus enabling the display to show more complicated shapes.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- 3D Printing for Accessibility
- The use of 3D printing technology to create tactile displays for the visually impaired presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in accessibility solutions.
- Tactile Data Visualization
- The development of tactile displays that can represent complex data and graphs opens up possibilities for disruptive innovation in data visualization for visually impaired individuals.
- Multi-sensory Information Access
- The integration of tactile displays with other senses, such as touch and sound, creates an opportunity for disruptive innovation in multi-sensory information access for individuals with visual impairments.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Assistive Technology
- The field of assistive technology can benefit from disruptive innovation by incorporating tactile display systems to enhance accessibility for visually impaired individuals.
- Data Visualization
- The data visualization industry can explore disruptive innovation by developing tactile displays that provide visually impaired individuals with alternative ways to interpret and understand complex data.
- Education
- The education sector can leverage disruptive innovation by utilizing tactile display systems to facilitate better learning experiences for visually impaired students, especially in subjects involving maps and graphs.
