When it comes to bone conduction headphones available today, they deliver great audio quality, whether you are gymming, strolling down the street, or jogging at the park, and this without sacrificing safety, as your ears are kept open to the world around you. The ‘Vision’ Bone Conduction Headset stands out because it puts the focus not on music, but rather on enhancing independence for the visually impaired.
This intriguing new concept is aimed at helping visually impaired individuals enjoy a more independent life. It acts like a companion that interacts with the user, offering a sense of protection and emotional support essential for independent navigation. “Vision is intended not just as an assistive device, rather it’s a companion designed to empower visually impaired individuals in their journey towards independence and self-worth,” say the designers.
Designers: Kyungsung University Industrial Design Department KSID
As technology continues to advance, a variety of assistive devices are being created to aid the visually challenged. However, many of these devices can be bulky and complicated. Designers have found that this, combined with a lack of safe infrastructure, makes independent movement hard, something that could be somewhat improved with a pair of bone conduction headsets.
The sleek design of these headphones keeps in mind how much visually impaired individuals rely on touch. They come equipped with object recognition cameras and conversational AI tech that help the open-ear bone conduction headset to spot obstacles and identify objects while providing audible guidance to the user at the same time.
Using conversational AI to offer immediate feedback on things seen through the cameras along their path, it even talks to the user — just like a human assistant would when navigating through a busy street. So, the Vision becomes more than just a navigation tool; it’s an interactive companion that’s always there to help.
Bone conduction technology makes it possible for the headset to sit near but outside the ears, keeping them free for outside sounds. On top of that, it has a dial and earcups with Braille controls. The dial lets the user adjust the fit or turn the headphones in the needed direction. A small groove at the center allows resetting Vision back to its starting position. Plus, the headset features high-visibility colors, so those with partial blindness can easily find them. It comes with a magnetic charging slot for added convenience so the user won’t fumble trying to align it with the usual charging ports.