Transforming lives of Sensory Impaired Individuals through Extended Reality (XR)

Sensory Impaired individuals are people with limitations or disabilities related to their sensory perception, which includes their abilities to hear, see or process sensory information. They may have visual impairments, hearing impairments, or a combination of both. Emerging technologies have the potential to revolutionise our approach to assistive devices. This paper explores the impact of Extended Reality (XR) in ameliorating the lives of sensory-impaired individuals with the help of a smart eye wear - RaveSens, by addressing challenges related to communication, accessibility, education, navigation, and social inclusion. This is attempted through intensive design methodologies - Multi-Modal Interaction (MMI), and User-Centred Design (UCD) approach to engineering design. The sensory impaired individuals, parents, care-providers, doctors, and rehabilitation centres, are the stakeholders involved in the process of validation and design. The design includes features like haptic feedback, visual augmentation for deaf, bone conduction feedback, navigation assistance through gesture and voice control with regulatory compliance. Extended Reality (XR) assistive technology stands as an impactful catalyst in enhancing sensory-impaired individual lives and ensuring that, they can engage fully in this fast-paced digital world. This helps empower them and foster inclusivity.