What do low-vision users really want from smart glasses? Faces, text and perhaps no glasses at all

Abstract

Recent advances in low cost wearable computers opens up new possibilities for the development of innovative visual aids. A head-mounted display with cameras that capture views of the physical world, a wearable computer can process the image and present an augmented view to the user. Although, some research is reported into the development of such visual prosthetics the functionalities often appear ad-hoc. This study set out to identify what functionality visually impaired users need in various contexts to reduce barriers. Information was gathered via interviews of visually impaired individuals. The results show that recognizing faces and text is the most important functions while the idea of smart glasses where questioned.