Virtual Reality for the Human-Centred Design of Assistive Devices

Abstract

© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025.The development of assistive devices for the blind and visually impaired (BVI) has often overlooked the essential participation of BVI users in the design process, resulting in products that are not user-friendly for them. This paper introduces a virtual reality (VR)-based framework designed to integrate BVI users into the development of assistive technologies actively. Leveraging VR, the framework facilitates immersive and interactive product testing environments where BVI users can directly evaluate and provide feedback on assistive device prototypes. This method allows for real time adjustments and refinements, significantly enhancing the usability of the products. The setup integrates two scenarios, one virtual and one real, each built with identical configurations. As BVI users navigate the real scenario, their interactions inform the virtual scenario in real-time, allowing for immediate adjustments and refinements. This paper evaluates this framework and seeks to determine if human factors can be used to evaluate assistive products and if non-BVI users, when deprived of their vision, can similarly evaluate assistive devices as BVI users. The proposed framework seeks to elevate the practical utility of assistive devices and to include the users in the design process.

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