Toyota Robotics BLAID
Experiential Prototype for the Visually Impaired.
Role: Interaction Design Director, Client Relationship Lead
Related Services: Future Vision Work, Interaction Design
Overview
BLAID is a personal mobility device that integrates cameras, sensors, and a combination of haptic and acoustic feedback to assist visually impaired users in navigating complex physical spaces. Developed in close collaboration with individuals from the visually impaired community, the system was designed to provide an intuitive and empowering experience through four core modes: Explore, Scan, Capture, and Find.
Modes for Mobility
The Explore mode delivers real-time spatial awareness, using auditory and tactile cues to guide users safely through unfamiliar environments. Scan allows users to identify nearby objects and points of interest, providing contextual audio feedback to enrich understanding of surroundings. With Capture, users can store spatial information for future reference, enabling more confident return visits. Find offers targeted guidance to specific items or destinations within a space, streamlining the process of getting where one needs to go. Recognizing that many people with visual impairments wish to experience the world without drawing attention to themselves, BLAID was purposefully designed to be discreet and familiar, more like headphones than a specialized assistive device. It reflects a broader goal: designing assistive technologies that are universally beneficial, appealing, and seamlessly integrated into everyday life.
Prototyping For Function and Fit
To ensure comfort and wearability, the team evaluated various materials, textures, weights, and cable-routing methods with users. This extensive testing informed the final component layout and material choices, resulting in a design that supports long-term, all-day use without fatigue or discomfort. BLAID is a thoughtful intersection of inclusive design, advanced sensing, and empathetic innovation.
Auditory and haptic feedback, combined with intuitively placed touchpoints on the neckband, ensure effortless and user-friendly operation.
A high-fidelity appearance model accurately representing materials and product weight was used to assess fit and comfort for extended use throughout the day.
