DirecTone
DirecTone
DirecTone
Designing an assistive device for deaf driver safety
Designing an assistive device for deaf driver safety
Role
Role
Product Designer
Product Designer
Timeline
Timeline
September 2024 - December 2024
September 2024 to
December 2024
Project Type
Project Type
Group Project; 3 Members
Group Project; 3 Members
Tools/Skills
Tools/Skills
Arduino UNO, Figma,
User Research,
Design Sketching,
Prototyping
Arduino UNO, Figma,
User Research,
Design Sketching,
Prototyping
SUMMARY
SUMMARY
We designed a conceptual assistive device to help deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers stay safe on the road. It detects emergency sirens and translates them into visual cues, showing the direction the sound is coming from. Through user research and iterative testing, we’re shaping it into an intuitive, inclusive concept that reduces stress and improves driver confidence.
We designed a conceptual assistive device to help deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers stay safe on the road. It detects emergency sirens and translates them into visual cues, showing the direction the sound is coming from. Through user research and iterative testing, we’re shaping it into an intuitive, inclusive concept that reduces stress and improves driver confidence.
Making Road Safety More Inclusive.
Making Road Safety More Inclusive.
PROTOTYPE OVERVIEW
PROTOTYPE OVERVIEW
PROBLEM
PROBLEM
For drivers who have hearing disabilities, detecting the direction of an emergency vehicle can be challenging. With sirens granting you key context into the direction of the incoming emergency vehicle, missing this audible warning can lead to a delay in emergency response time and potential threat to those hard of hearing. This problem calls attention to creating equitable situational awareness while driving, specifically amongst emergency vehicles
How might we design an assistive device that helps deaf drivers not only detect emergency vehicles before seeing them but also understand their direction quickly and intuitively?
For drivers who have hearing disabilities, detecting the direction of an emergency vehicle can be challenging. With sirens granting you key context into the direction of the incoming emergency vehicle, missing this audible warning can lead to a delay in emergency response time and potential threat to those hard of hearing. This problem calls attention to creating equitable situational awareness while driving, specifically amongst emergency vehicles
How might we design an assistive device that helps deaf drivers not only detect emergency vehicles before seeing them but also understand their direction quickly and intuitively?
For drivers who have hearing disabilities, detecting the direction of an emergency vehicle can be challenging. With sirens granting you key context into the direction of the incoming emergency vehicle, missing this audible warning can lead to a delay in emergency response time and potential threat to those hard of hearing. This problem calls attention to creating equitable situational awareness while driving, specifically amongst emergency vehicles
How might we design an assistive device that helps deaf drivers not only detect emergency vehicles before seeing them but also understand their direction quickly and intuitively?
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS
User Research
User Research
We interviewed 4 drivers (3 hard-of-hearing, 1 hearing control) across age groups to understand:
Their current assistive tools.
Coping strategies for emergencies.
Feelings and stress levels when sirens occur.
We interviewed 4 drivers (3 hard-of-hearing, 1 hearing control) across age groups to understand:
Their current assistive tools.
Coping strategies for emergencies.
Feelings and stress levels when sirens occur.
We interviewed 4 drivers (3 hard-of-hearing, 1 hearing control) across age groups to understand:
Their current assistive tools.
Coping strategies for emergencies.
Feelings and stress levels when sirens occur.
Key Findings
Key Findings
Hearing aids alone are insufficient for spatial awareness.
Many rely on watching other drivers’ reactions.
Drivers want independent, clear, and intuitive alerts.
Hearing aids alone are insufficient for spatial awareness.
Many rely on watching other drivers’ reactions.
Drivers want independent, clear, and intuitive alerts.
Hearing aids alone are insufficient for spatial awareness.
Many rely on watching other drivers’ reactions.
Drivers want independent, clear, and intuitive alerts.
User Persona
User Persona
Jake Su. A man in his 30s. Office worker with hearing aids.
Jake Su. A man in his 30s. Office worker with hearing aids.
Jake Su. A man in his 30s. Office worker with hearing aids.
Goal: Drive independently and safely.
Frustration: Hearing aids don’t provide directionality; relies on others.
Needs: A two-part system → (1) alert + (2) directional guidance.
Goal: Drive independently and safely.
Frustration: Hearing aids don’t provide directionality; relies on others.
Needs: A two-part system → (1) alert + (2) directional guidance.
Goal: Drive independently and safely.
Frustration: Hearing aids don’t provide directionality; relies on others.
Needs: A two-part system → (1) alert + (2) directional guidance.
EARLY DESIGNS
EARLY DESIGNS
Steering wheel attachment concept. Did not work
since different car models have different sized
steering wheels. Additionally, the rotation of the
wheel may cause confusion.
Steering wheel attachment concept. Did not work
since different car models have different sized
steering wheels. Additionally, the rotation of the
wheel may cause confusion.
Steering wheel attachment concept. Did not work
since different car models have different sized
steering wheels. Additionally, the rotation of the
wheel may cause confusion.
Another steering wheel attachment that has lights
around the center piece. Same issue arises as the
one to the left.
Another steering wheel attachment that has lights
around the center piece. Same issue arises as the
one to the left.
Another steering wheel attachment that has lights
around the center piece. Same issue arises as the
one to the left.
A device that wraps around the steering wheel and
lights up in the direction of the sound. Again, issue
with disorientation.
A device that wraps around the steering wheel and
lights up in the direction of the sound. Again, issue
with disorientation.
A device that wraps around the steering wheel and
lights up in the direction of the sound. Again, issue
with disorientation.
A suction device placed on the dashboard to show
direction. Issues with different car anatomy such as
having a screen.
A suction device placed on the dashboard to show
direction. Issues with different car anatomy such as
having a screen.
A suction device placed on the dashboard to show
direction. Issues with different car anatomy such as
having a screen.
The chosen idea: a rearview mirror mount. A rearview
mirror is a universal car part and so a mount there
would be a good spot. It will also be a rigid mount so
that there is no swinging.
The chosen idea: a rearview mirror mount. A rearview
mirror is a universal car part and so a mount there
would be a good spot. It will also be a rigid mount so
that there is no swinging.
The chosen idea: a rearview mirror mount. A rearview
mirror is a universal car part and so a mount there
would be a good spot. It will also be a rigid mount so
that there is no swinging.
STORYBOARD
STORYBOARD
FINAL DESIGN
FINAL DESIGN
Initial idea for a digital screen that indicates direction.
Constraints were the limit in engineering material; Decided
to pivot to something more viable.
Initial idea for a digital screen that indicates direction.
Constraints were the limit in engineering material; Decided
to pivot to something more viable.
Final design concept. Four directional indicators that light
up corresponding to the direction of the noise.
Final design concept. Four directional indicators that light
up corresponding to the direction of the noise.
TECHNICAL DRAWING
TECHNICAL DRAWING
PROTOTYPE
PROTOTYPE
Using Arduino UNO, we engineered a
circumstantially prompted light that
corresponded with each direction.
Using Arduino UNO, we engineered a
circumstantially prompted light that
corresponded with each direction.
The model was 3D printed with an
example of how it would look if there
was a siren sound coming from behind
the vehicle.
The model was 3D printed with an
example of how it would look if there
was a siren sound coming from behind
the vehicle.
This project was developed as a conceptual design within the constraints of our resources and timeline. Our Arduino kit did not support directional sound detection, and without a strong engineering background, we kept the vibrating mat at the conceptual stage rather than a full prototype. Additionally, time limitations required us to focus on demonstrating the core design process and user-centered insights rather than producing a fully functional system.
This project was developed as a conceptual design within the constraints of our resources and timeline. Our Arduino kit did not support directional sound detection, and without a strong engineering background, we kept the vibrating mat at the conceptual stage rather than a full prototype. Additionally, time limitations required us to focus on demonstrating the core design process and user-centered insights rather than producing a fully functional system.
This project was developed as a conceptual design within the constraints of our resources and timeline. Our Arduino kit did not support directional sound detection, and without a strong engineering background, we kept the vibrating mat at the conceptual stage rather than a full prototype. Additionally, time limitations required us to focus on demonstrating the core design process and user-centered insights rather than producing a fully functional system.
FINAL PROTOTYPE
FINAL PROTOTYPE