VOXAI - Express yourself beyond text!
Our goal when designing VOXAI was to enhance two-way communication for young adults with non-verbal autism using AAC technology.
After conducting research alongside a Certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Clinical Educator in AAC technology, we identified several key pain points in the current market products.
Many are bulky, heavy, and poorly ergonomic. These are significant drawbacks for a product meant for daily use and easy carrying. We knew there had to be a better alternative, so we designed an AAC case and app with users in mind.
Multiple iterations were designed throughout the course of the project. We landed on a design with an adjustable handle that converts to a tripod for wheelchair users. This iteration also includes a screen on the back for live two-way communication, allowing the listener to know when the user is typing or speaking, without needing to flip the tablet.
We chose to design a case around a tablet already popular in the market: the iPad. This let us leverage existing hardware, like the Apple Smart Connector on newer generations, to power our rear screen without adding extra components.
Research into current AAC apps like TD Snap, built by Tobii Dynavox, a leading name in AAC technology revealed a critical bottleneck: typical typing speeds range from just 0.6 to 2.2 words per minute. We redesigned our app's layout and organization from the ground up to solve for speed. We also identified a second gap: most AAC apps default to robotic, impersonal voices. Leveraging recent advances in AI, we gave users the ability to choose between different tones and voices that actually sound like them.
Birgess Weston
Project Lead
Illustrator
Thanh Quach
Visual Designer
Product Designer
Lois Kim
UX Researcher
Copy Writer
Joseph Sotelo
UI Designer
Project Manager
THE CONCEPT
FROM SKETCH TO PROTOTYPE
COMMUNICASE TECHNOLOGY
THE VOXME APP
MEET THE TEAM
SPECIAL THANKS TO
VOXAI -
Express yourself beyond text!
Our goal when designing VOXAI was to enhance two-way communication for young adults with non-verbal autism using AAC technology.
Multiple iterations were designed throughout the course of the project. We landed on a design with an adjustable handle that converts to a tripod for wheelchair users. This iteration also includes a screen on the back for live two-way communication, allowing the listener to know when the user is typing or speaking, without needing to flip the tablet.
After conducting research alongside a Certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Clinical Educator in AAC technology, we identified several key pain points in the current market products.
Many are bulky, heavy, and poorly ergonomic. These are significant drawbacks for a product meant for daily use and easy carrying. We knew there had to be a better alternative, so we designed an AAC case and app with users in mind.
THE CONCEPT
FROM SKETCH TO PROTOTYPE
COMMUNICASE TECHNOLOGY
THE VOXME APP
THE VOXME APP
We chose to design a case around a tablet already popular in the market: the iPad. This let us leverage existing hardware, like the Apple Smart Connector on newer generations, to power our rear screen without adding extra components.
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MEET THE TEAM
Birgess Weston
Project Lead
Illustrator
Ann-Maire Pence
Certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Clinical Educator at UNT
Thanh Quach
Visual Designer
Product Designer
Lois Kim
UX Researcher
Copy Writer
Joseph Sotelo
UI Designer
Project Manager
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Ann-Maire Pence
Certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Clinical Educator at UNT
Ann-Maire Pence
Certified Speech-Language Pathologist and Clinical Educator at UNT
Thanh Quach
Visual Designer
Product Designer
Birgess Weston
Project Lead
Illustrator
Lois Kim
UX Researcher
Copy Writer
Joseph Sotelo
UI Designer
Project Manager
SPECIAL THANKS TO