Notification Alert System
About this project
Our Need-Knower is hard of hearing, and often sets their TV to a higher volume. This also causes difficulty when they receive notifications from their iPhone, as it is difficult to hear their phone with the TV at this higher volume. Typical solutions to this problem, such as Alexa and Apple Watches, do not fix the issue of unreliable access to their notifications. The Apple Watches irritate their skin, and their accent causes difficulties communicating properly with an Alexa system. Our initial solution concept included a series of small, picture frame sized devices with screens in key areas of the Need-Knowers house that would inform them of notifications from their phone. Upon receiving a notification, these screens would flash a color to both notify them that their phone was getting a notification and reflect the source of the notification from specific colors on the screen. We could also manipulate the aesthetic of the picture frame devices to match the design of their house, which would enable us to disguise our solution into their environment.
The challenge
The challenge is that when Mom listens to the TV, she does not hear the alerts on her iPhone because the volume of the TV obstructs the audio alert from the iPhone. This frustrates her because it could be a family member or friend with some timely information. She needs another method to let her know that the alert has occurred.
Who it helps
“Mom” is an elderly woman who is losing her hearing. She owns an iPhone. Occasionally, she receives texts, messages, alerts, and other notifications on her phone. Mom enjoys watching TV. She also enjoys working in her garden.
Project details
- Stage: Concept
- Built by the Georgia Tech community, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Team: Maker 1
- Category: Daily Living
- 8 downloads
The build files for Notification Alert System are free to download from this page - open source, shared by TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers.
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