Aliotos

Project Description

Aliotos is an innovative Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) smartwatch app designed to overcome accessibility challenges for nonverbal children. Developed as a watch app with a companion iOS app for parents, it offers an intuitive and portable communication solution. The app features a user-friendly design with recognizable AAC icons and personalized Text-to-Speech (TTS) for a unique voice. Parents can stay connected by observing their child's AAC interactions, sending prompts or messages directly to the watch, and tracking their live location on a map.

Problem

Nonverbal children deserve seamless communication, not limitations. Current AAC apps often confine them to bulky tablets, hindering their independence and participation in everyday activities. Outdated graphics and clunky interfaces discourage use, while the lack of wearable options further restricts accessibility. Moreover, disjointed parent-child interfaces create distance and limit opportunities for essential support.

Solution

Recognizing the limitations of existing tablet-based Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) solutions, Aliotos leverages the Apple Watch platform to deliver a portable and accessible communication experience for nonverbal children. By strategically tailoring the user interface for the smaller screen, Aliotos prioritizes clarity and accessibility through:

Visually appealing design: Modern graphics, vibrant icons, and carefully chosen high-contrast color palettes ensure optimal accessibility.
Intuitive user interaction: Touch-based navigation selection promotes ease of use and independent communication for children of varying motor skills.
Personalization: Text-to-Speech (TTS) voice selection empower users to express themselves authentically.
Promote social inclusion: The portable and discreet nature of the Apple Watch platform allows children to communicate freely and participate in everyday activities without limitations.

Aliotos differentiates itself through its seamless parent companion app, fostering continuous communication and parental support:

Real-time communication: Parents can send messages and prompts directly to the child's watch, facilitating interaction even when not in close proximity.
Location tracking: Discreet location monitoring provides peace of mind and promotes safe exploration for children within defined boundaries.

User Research Section

Introduction:

In the pursuit of optimizing communication experiences for non verbal individuals, our user research delves into the needs, challenges, and preferences of both users and caregivers. This section synthesizes insights gained from family interviews, observations, and professional consultations, providing a comprehensive foundation for the design process.

User Perspectives:

From Mom:

A primary caregiver highlights concerns about the user's privacy and safety, expressing challenges in determining their whereabouts and needs when spending time alone. The inability to vocalize adds complexity to communication.

From Dad:

Another caregiver sheds light on the user's selective use of the communication device, emphasizing a preference for playful activities over its intended communicative function.

Observations:

Key observations reveal the user's reluctance to use the current device and their inclination towards non-verbal communication through gestures and motions.

Professional Insights:

Speech Therapist:

The speech therapist, a crucial stakeholder in our research, underscores the importance of multimodal communication, offering insights into its benefits and providing a foundation for exploring the role of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. They also detail the crucial steps in the assessment, selection, and instruction of AAC devices, emphasizing a collaborative approach involving therapists, caregivers, and the user.

Multimodal Communication:

Multimodal communication refers to the use of various modalities beyond spoken language. For non-verbal children, this includes gestures, vocalizations, symbols, and AAC devices. Benefits encompass increased communication effectiveness, support for expressive development, cognitive growth, and enhanced social interaction. The multimodal approach advocates for the complementary use of AAC devices alongside other forms of communication.

Visual Elements:

Understanding the importance of colors and images is highlighted, emphasizing their role in supporting memory, recall, and communication for individuals with cognitive or language impairments.

Personalization:

In AAC devices, personalization transcends functionalities, embracing cultural nuances. Speech-language pathologists advocate for adaptable vocabularies and culturally relevant symbols. This approach fosters authentic self-expression, empowering users to bridge communication gaps confidently, irrespective of cultural backgrounds.

Understanding the Size Problem:

Traditional AAC devices present challenges such as large footprints, limiting movement and independence. Additionally, their size can feel stigmatizing, isolating users socially and hindering participation in various activities. Smallest AAC device is the size of mobile phone which still poses challenges because additional safety measures like protective cases, lanyards, or integrated tracking technology might be necessary for users to navigate a smaller, more delicate device.

Definitions:

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): Broad term encompassing communication systems supporting individuals with speaking difficulties.
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS): Specific AAC system using pictures or symbols for communication.
Menu-based: Describes the design approach where tapping a button reveals a new set of choices, resembling dropdown menus.

Personas

Leveraging the findings of our user research, presented below are two carefully constructed persona diagrams. These comprehensive profiles depict the lived experiences and unmet needs of both a nonverbal child and their parent. Each persona serves as a constant touchpoint throughout the design process, ensuring every decision resonates with their unique challenges and aspirations, ultimately empowering them to overcome communication barriers and build meaningful connections.

Child Persona:

Parent Persona:

Low Fidelity Prototype

Integrated Watch & Companion App UI Wireframe (1).png

Cross-Device Message Interaction Wireframe (1).png

Design System

Aligned with Apple's watchOS, this design system offers a cohesive dark mode across both the Apple Watch app and its companion app. The core #121212 ("Dark Gray") background maximizes battery life and readability, while a hint of subdued dark blue-gray for the menu buttons softens the interface and ensures visual comfort. This design choice, refined from an initial bright scheme for the companion app, prioritizes brand consistency and familiar user journeys across platforms. Color accents – Sky Blue ("Thank You"), Cherry Red ("No"), Forest Green ("Yes"), and Tangerine ("More") – intuitively guide users and decisions through intuitive color psychology. This system, using the default SF Compact font, prioritizes both technical compliance and a seamless, engaging user experience.

High Fidelity Prototype

Final Designs

Design Highlights:

Visually Appealing: Modern graphics, vibrant icons, and high-contrast color palettes ensure optimal accessibility for diverse needs.
Intuitive Touch Interaction: Touch-based navigation empowers independent communication for children with varying motor skills.
Personalized Voice: Text-to-Speech (TTS) selection allows users to express themselves authentically.
Seamless Parent Connection: The companion app enables real-time communication, discreet location tracking, and message exchange.

Key Design Decisions:

Shifting from tablets to watches: Aliotos embraces wearables, promoting independence and social inclusion for nonverbal children.
Prioritizing accessibility: Visually appealing and intuitive design ensures clear communication for diverse users.
Empowering parents: The companion app fosters collaboration and peace of mind through communication and location tracking.
Customization potential: Recognizing individual needs, Aliotos lays the groundwork for future customization features.

Overcoming Challenges:

Balancing customization: We created a generalizable experience while recognizing the need for individual adaptation.
Evolving the companion app: Initial text message alerts transitioned into a full-fledged app for two-way communication and location tracking.
User feedback and iteration: Extensive testing with a user-informed icon optimization, menu structure, and accessibility features.

Impact and Outcomes:

Empowering communication: Aliotos enables a nonverbal child to express needs, feelings, and desires, fostering independence and reducing frustration.
Engaging user experience: Fun features like music playlists encourage app use and positive reinforcement.
Parental peace of mind: Real-time communication and location tracking provide comfort and assurance to caregivers.

More Than Just an App, a Transformation:

Aliotos' impact goes beyond lines of code. It's about unlocking voices, bridging communication gaps, and empowering both children and families.

"Aliotos has given my son a voice he never had before. He now expresses his needs and wants with confidence." - Sarah, mother of a nonverbal child.
"Knowing my child's location gives me peace of mind." - David, father of a nonverbal child.

Looking Forward:

Customization framework: Building a system for individualizing menus, icons, and features based on user needs and speech therapist recommendations.
Expanding the user base: Making Aliotos accessible to a wider range of nonverbal individuals with diverse communication styles and needs.

Takeaways

Building Aliotos was more than just designing an app; it was a journey of empathy, design iteration, and exceeding expectations. This project revealed valuable lessons that not only shaped Aliotos, but also enriched my design approach:

1. The Power of User-Centered Design: Immersing myself in the lived experiences of nonverbal individuals and their families unearthed crucial insights that guided every design decision. Aliotos' success is a testament to the power of prioritizing user needs above all else.

2. Accessibility is a Spectrum: Accessibility isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. By acknowledging the diverse needs and learning styles within the nonverbal community, I learned to design flexible systems that can be customized and adapted to individual preferences.

3. Wearables Reimagine Communication: Aliotos challenged the traditional paradigm of bulky AAC tablets. The power of wearables lies in their ability to seamlessly integrate with everyday life, empowering communication without sacrificing independence or style.

4. Design for Connection, Not Just Functionality: While technical considerations are crucial, Aliotos reminded me that design serves a larger purpose. It's about fostering connection, bridging communication gaps, and allowing individuals to express their authentic selves.

5. Collaboration is Key: Aliotos was not a solo endeavor. The tireless efforts of speech therapists, caregivers, and ultimately, the user who inspired this project, were all integral to its success. Collaboration fuels innovation and ensures design solutions genuinely address the needs they aim to serve.

Building Aliotos has been a humbling and rewarding experience. The lessons learned will continue to guide my design journey, pushing me to create solutions that empower, connect, and make a lasting impact on the lives of others.