Printed electronics has opened the tech world to those with disabilities or other health concerns.
Some technology can easily be innovated to printed electronics (PE), like glucose testing strips.
Other PE products can have a custom design that can perform a wide variety of tasks to assist those with health concerns.
User interfaces can also have a custom design for anyone with visual impairments. The most common interface is brail and can easily be added to buttons or other interfaces.
Wearables
Wearables are relatively new to the technology world. Many people just think of wearables as their smartwatch that is used to track heart rate and count steps for the day. However, wearables have the capability to be so much more than fancy watches.
Tactile feedback in wearables is one way the wearable interacts with the user. Most commonly, this can be felt by a vibration in the device. This can alert the user of correct or incorrect steps while walking. Another feedback used by wearables could be the use of sound. A quiet bell tone could sound as an alert to the user but could be quiet enough that others around them might not hear the sound.
Other wearable devices contain dry electrodes in devices such as headbands to transmit electrical impulses to the nerves and brain. The impulses are very subtle and work to relax or refocus the individual. Some devices with this technology can help reduce stress and improve overall mental health.
Stress reduction can help those with anxiety. Other benefits are that it helps certain individuals stay more focused, as well as assist insomniacs with sleep deprivation.
Another wearable option is biometric sensors that need compression garments to have skin-to-skin contact. Depending on the software the sensors can detect heart and respiratory rates or muscle and brain activity. The wearable can also have machine learning properties.
Once the user has worn the technology for a reasonable amount of time the device can begin to learn the person’s baselines. If an abnormality spike occurs a notification can alert the user’s smartphones or to the doctor’s office.
One of the main benefits of wearables is their ability to be flexible and comfortable. A wearable could be a headband on a baby that has the ability to read their vitals. In addition to being able to read vital signs, the technology could also alert a caregiver in the event of an emergency.
User Interface
A user interface device can also be customized to help those with disabilities . User interfaces can be easy to design for the blind who need brail to assist them.
Buttons or keypads can be custom silicone that raises brail or simple characters for ease of use for those with disabilities.
The most common user interface device is a membrane switch. They are popular for their versatility, durability and tactile feedback. This gives the user a sensory input when a button is depressed. Other features include the inclusion of lights to assist the user’s experience.
For help with any of your product needs, contact the experts at Butler Technologies, Inc. today.
Meet the Author
Ashley Foster is a graduate of Slippery Rock University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majored in Business Management and minored in Marketing. While Ashley was studying at SRU she found a passion for marketing. Although she is busy working, she spends her free time traveling and hiking with friends. She is also a volunteer for the American Marketing Association, Pittsburgh Chapter, and an active alumni member of FCCLA.
