sxsw 2014 | wearable tech: game changer for people with disabilities?
DESCRIPTION
Presentation is via Jen Quinlan, Senior Director of Marketing, Mutual Mobile and J.P. Gownder, Vice President, Forrester Research for presentation at South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Festival 2014. Media and agencies are plagued with tunnel vision. They are stuck thinking about mundane use cases for wearables like Glass that are reminiscent of first phase mobile apps. Wake up. Wearable tech has the potential for more impact than what brands are talking about. Let’s instead explore more complex use cases and look into how wearable tech can drastically improve lives of people with disabilities or special needs. In this session we will explore how Glass and other wearables can unlock new possibilities for people with vision issues, hearing issues, or decreased mobility of their limbs. We’ll share real users’ stories, explore how wearable tech may address their needs, and look at what’s possible today versus looking into the future.TRANSCRIPT
WEARABLESHELPING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES .#wearableshelp.. 3.10.2014
WHEN SMALL THINGS ARE A BIG DEAL
.#wearableshelp.
“Google Glass has given me a whole new world.”
Jen Quinlan@quirkyinsider
J.P. Gownder@jgownder
WHAT YOU’LL GET FROM THE NEXT HOUR:
Map the wearables landscape.
No two bodies are alike.
Glass and beyond.
Business tips.
Rally call.
THE WEARABLES LANDSCAPE
.#wearableshelp.
First, let’s address the elephant in the room -- the wearables hype bubble
Wearables help people move through virtual and physical worlds
VIRTUAL PHYSICAL
Physical Authentication
Physical Monitoring
Health Monitoring
AugmentedReality
Collaboration
DataMonitoring
Wearables
Wearables and our Daily Lives
Assistive Technologies Evolution
PAST PRESENT FUTURE
Unfortunately, several disconnects are inhibiting innovation
Academia StartupsLarge
Vendors Geography
Innovation silos keep people apart
Fragmented coverage inhibits knowledge sharing
Medical journals
Consumer Publications Social Media
Mass media covers some angles more than others
Finally, perceived business model challenges hold back innovation
● Is the addressable market big enough?
● Can I find VC money to back a business plan aimed at helping those with disabilities?
● Are there greener pastures for wearable computing?
THERE IS NOT JUST ONE BODY TYPE.
.#wearableshelp.
SO WHY IS THIS THE FACE OF WEARABLE TECH?
PRODUCTS TO INSPIRE
.#wearableshelp.
Wearables can fill four types of needs
WEARABLES + NAVIGATE
.#wearableshelp.
POINT LOCUS@David_Barter
Voice commands can be difficult in a noisy city.
“The vibrations would further my independence.”
“It’s an independence tool.” - Jason DiSanto
WEARABLES + COMMUNICATE
.#wearableshelp.
Sension plots 78 points to determine the person’s emotion.
PROJECT FIDOFacilitating Interactions for
Dogs with Occupations
Occupational dogs communicate with wearable tech.
WEARABLES + MONITORING
.#wearableshelp.
Garment sensors measure:● Heart rate● Respiration rate● Skin temperature
Use cases:● Medical gowns● Undergarments● Blankets
Less invasive monitoring for caregivers or doctors
CarePredict combines wearables and beacons to monitor daily living.
WEARABLES + THERAPY
.#wearableshelp.
EAVI (Electronic Aid for the Visually Impaired)
MYO armband senses gesture and motion to interpret what your hands and fingers are doing.
#ifihadMYO I would use it to control prosthetic arms, so people can move them as if they were their own arms – David S.
Manuel Dornbusch
#ifihadMYO I would use sign language to
substitute it for a keyboard in mobile use
http://buff.ly/18fM6j9 #ifihadMYO
KEY LEARNINGS FOR COMPANIES
.#wearableshelp.
Global disabilities market is bigger than you think.
● 40M to 45M people are blind.
● 135M have low vision.
● 360M have disabling hearing loss.
Aging population is a GLOBAL issue
● 2B people 60+ by 2050
● 400M people 80+ by 2050
● Common aging disabilities: ○ Visual impairment○ Hearing loss○ Dementia○ Osteoarthritis
Sony’s “wig-fi” wearable is actually aimed at the elderly
Glass isn’t the only dual-use wearable
Both Ducere and Thalmic Labs found innovation inspiration
Maker Movement Driving Lower Cost Prosthetics & Adaptive Products
Q&A.LET’S GET A DISCUSSION GOING.
.#wearableshelp.
BUILD THINGS THAT MATTER. THANK YOU.
.#wearableshelp.
.#wearableshelp.