Abstract |
In a household, the kitchen holds immense significance among all rooms and
is often considered the central hub, as it not only serves as a space for meal
preparation and consumption, but also acts as a gathering spot for families and
friends. It is where people come together to cook delightful meals, engage in
conversations around the kitchen table, and carry out everyday activities. With
the substantial amount of time spent in the kitchen, there arises a desire to
discover intelligent methods to simplify and enhance daily routines. However,
while it is expected that every home should provide comfort and safety for its
residents, individuals with disabilities often encounter challenges with their
kitchen cupboards, as these spaces fail to meet their everyday requirements.
Various impairments, such as visual, motor and cognitive, pose significant
difficulties even when attempting seemingly "simple" tasks in the kitchen. To
address this issue, we present our solution: the "Accessible Smart Kitchen
Cupboard," an accessible innovation designed to streamline inventory
management and aid in the cooking process.
The Accessible Smart Kitchen Cupboard is a user-centric, inclusive prototype
for kitchen storage, catering to a diverse range of users, such as adults,
children, the elderly and individuals with disabilities. Designed with
accessibility in mind, it incorporates advanced technologies and a multitude of
sensors to gather detailed information about each stored food item, including
its type, precise location, quantity and expiration date. The cupboard facilitates
multimodal communication and employs a comprehensive array of input and
output channels. Users have the flexibility to interact with the cupboard using
either voice commands or a user-friendly touchscreen interface. In terms of
output, the cupboard utilizes LED stripes to provide color-coded information,
delivers auditory responses, and utilizes various types of vibrations to convey
relevant feedback to users.
The Smart Kitchen Cupboard encompasses a range of fundamental
functionalities aimed at enhancing the user experience. These include: (a)
assisting users in managing and organizing food items within available slots,
simplifying the storage process; (b) seamless integration with the "AmI Chef"
system, by providing valuable support and assistance throughout the cooking
process; (c) supplying users with comprehensive information regarding the
status and particulars of each stored product, including quantity levels and
expiration dates; (d) promptly notifying users when the kitchen inventory
requires replenishment, ensuring a well-stocked pantry. In general, its design
prioritizes accessibility, allowing individuals with diverse physical or
cognitive abilities to easily engage with and enjoy all of the aforementioned
functions.
This thesis encompasses several key elements. Firstly, it explores the
challenges and difficulties faced by kitchen users, both with and without
disabilities, such as vision, hearing, mobility or age-related issues when
assessing the status of their food stocks. Then, it comprehensively analyses
existing smart kitchen cabinets and storage systems, with a particular emphasis
on their limited accessibility features and their shortcomings in meeting the
needs of users with diverse abilities. Next, it extensively describes the design
and functional requirements of the Accessible Smart Kitchen Cupboard
including a detailed overview of the components comprising the cupboard and
their interconnections, all geared towards providing a seamless user
experience and tailoring it to meet the specific requirements of different user
groups. Finally, it reports the findings and valuable insights derived from a
series of cognitive walkthrough experiments conducted with experts in
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), contributing valuable knowledge and
perspectives to the thesis, enhancing its overall validity and relevance.
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