We led the industrial design, mechanical engineering, and human factors effort for a family of augmentative communication devices. These large and small format touchscreen-driven devices help people with speech, language, learning, or physical disabilities communicate. Using proprietary software, each device presents a user with menus of words and pictograms to construct conversational messages. Once these messages are composed on the touch screen, the device "speaks" the message using a state-of-the-art voice generator delivered through a high-quality speaker. The on-screen system elements can be modified based on the user's preferences.
The custom hardware has many features designed for users with physical disabilities including a rugged housing, splash-resistant sealed surfaces, an easy-open integrated stand, and wheelchair mount components. In addition to its core function as a voice communicator, the device has extensive capabilities that provide a user with complete environmental control unit functionality when used with common X10 devices. This means that a user can turn on lights, open doors, and talk to their family, friends, and neighbors all through a single device.