Tactalis
A digital interface for the visually impaired
Project Overview
Douglas created Tactalis, a concept for helping the visually impaired interact with digital content through touch.
Partnering with NEDlabs, we developed multiple functional prototypes that received enthusiastic feedback from testers, including music legend Stevie Wonder at an international accessibility conference.
Project Overview
Douglas created Tactalis, a concept for helping the visually impaired interact with digital content through touch.
Partnering with NEDlabs, we developed multiple functional prototypes that received enthusiastic feedback from testers, including music legend Stevie Wonder at an international accessibility conference.
The project before NEDlabs
When Douglas approached NEDlabs, he had a compelling concept but faced significant technical challenges. He had secured grant funding, but lacked the technical expertise or team to develop the technology.
“I didn’t know what I didn’t know,” Douglas explained. “I didn’t know the first thing about complex electronics or integrated circuits. There was a big gap in my knowledge where I didn’t even know how to ask the right questions.”
How we helped
Douglas focused on the user experience and overall business concept, while NEDlabs handled the end-to-end technical development.
Services Provided:
Research and development for initial proof of concept
Firmware and software design and development
Mechanical and hardware design and development
Prototyping and testing from initial concept to conference showcase
Notable Challenges
Creating a single tactile “pixel” was relatively straightforward, but engineering a full interactive display presented significant complexity.
What we Achieved
The Tactalis prototype successfully demonstrated the potential of tactile digital interfaces:
Created a working prototype that validated the core technology
Receieved overwhelming positive feedback international accessibility technology trade shows
Attracted significant interest from potential users and stakeholders, including notable figures like Stevie Wonder, who explored the product firsthand
Created valuable intellectual property through multiple patents
While Tactalis was ultimately wound down due to distribution requirements, the technical feasibility was successfully demonstrated, providing valuable insights for future accessibility technology development.
When you have people that know what questions to ask and know what suggestions to make... that can overcome a lot of your own personal lack of knowledge and experience, which was surprising and refreshing.
Douglas Hawthorn, Founder at Tactalis
Research & Proof of Concept, Electronics & Embedded Systems Design, Prototyping & Testing