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 possi- bilities for the development of innovative visual aids. A head - mounted display with cameras that capture view s of the physical wor ld, 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 visu al prosthetics the function- alities often appear ad - hoc. This study set out to identify what functi onality vis- ually 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 i dea of smart glasses where questioned.