Exploring shape memory alloys in haptic wearables for visually impaired people

Wearable haptic assistive devices can provide tactile information to visually impaired people (VIP) to support independent living. However, electromechanical haptic feedback has a number of disadvantages, including hardware being relatively heavy, large, and producing excessive sound. Here, we present a design-driven investigation of the potential of shape memory alloy-based haptic feedback for VIP. We followed an iterative approach, focusing on hands-on material explorations, in which we identified challenges and subsequent solutions that designers of SMA-based wearable haptic assistive devices may be faced with when incorporating SMAs in their designs. We present several prototype iterations and an initial evaluation with VIP to offer insights into the potential of SMA-based wearable haptic devices for VIP.

Automated summary

Wearable haptic assistive devices can provide tactile information to visually impaired people for independent living. However, electromechanical haptic feedback has drawbacks such as heavy hardware, large size, and excessive sound. This research investigates the potential of shape memory alloy-based haptic feedback for visually impaired individuals, utilizing a design-driven approach and iterative prototyping to address challenges and provide insights into the use of SMA-based devices.