Big Data for Visually Impaired Oct 2021 - Mar 2022
Overview
This proposed ICT solution leverages Big Data technology to assist visually impaired individuals in overcoming everyday challenges such as identifying the correct food and medicine, matching clothes, and managing grocery shopping.
The project idea was submitted into the ABCD Conceptual Competition, one of the key activities under the HK Fostering ICT Award Scheme (FICTAS) which was organized by HKNETEA and supported with the government's sponsorship and funding. The Scheme aims to foster an IT learning atmosphere and stimulate high school students' interest in emerging ICT areas such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, and big data. The Scheme includes workshops, webinars, school talks, competitions, and assessments designed to improve students' computing skills and deepen their understanding of these advanced technologies.
Concept Description and Motivation
Visually impaired individuals often face significant difficulties in accurately identifying daily items, which can impact their health, safety, and independence. This challenge inspired the development of an ICT-driven Big Data solution that aggregates product and service information from a wide range of stakeholders who openly share their data. The concept harnesses advanced technologies like Universal Product Code (UPC) scanning, machine translation, and voice recognition to provide accessible, real-time information for users who cannot rely on visual identification. Beyond supporting the visually impaired, this solution encourages data openness across public and private sectors, benefiting broader communities and fostering innovation in ICT.
 |  |  |  |
|---|
Design and Development Process
The proposed system establishes a comprehensive database by aggregating data shared by a diverse range of stakeholders, including manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, government agencies, and social media platforms. This database encompasses critical product information such as brand, function, ingredient details, directions for use, expiry dates, storage methods, suggested recipes, and usage cautions, among others. Leveraging modern tagging technologies like QR codes, NFC, and RFID; users can conveniently access this wealth of information by scanning Universal Product Codes (UPC) or ID tags present on products. Machine translation and voice recognition are integrated into the system to facilitate intuitive, real-time retrieval of relevant information. This design empowers visually impaired individuals to independently access essential product details, supporting safer and healthier daily living while promoting greater autonomy.
Potential Applications and Impact
​Potential Applications and Impact: This Big Data-driven solution aims to enhance the independence and well-being of visually impaired users by reducing their reliance on caregivers. Additionally, it has the potential to assist other groups facing reading challenges, such as the elderly, foreign domestic helpers, and individuals with dyslexia. Furthermore, it promotes a culture of data sharing (open data) among public and private sectors, ultimately benefiting the general public while supporting the continued advancement of ICT development.
​
Future Work and Development Plans
Looking forward, future work will focus on advancing the project from conceptual design to a functional prototype. This involves developing accessible and user-friendly interfaces for visually impaired users, optimizing the database structure for scalability, and integrating advanced technologies such as real-time voice recognition and automated machine translation.
Additional pilot programs and user testing are planned to gather feedback and refine the solution, ensuring practicality and reliability in real-world settings.
Long-term goals include promoting broader collaboration with public and private sectors to encourage open data sharing and fostering educational partnerships to inspire further innovation in ICT for accessibility.