Tuesday, 19 September 2006

IBM Student Researchers Develop Mobile Phone Technology to Help Hearing Impaired

UK undergraduates involved in a research project at IBM’s software laboratory in Hursley have developed a mobile system designed to improve communications for hearing impaired people when they enter locations such as railway stations, airports and workplaces.

The system, code-named Location Aware Messaging for Accessibility (LAMA), can send a wide range of location-specific information to system users' mobile phones. Information can be sent in a range of requested delivery formats. These are usually text messages, but an image or tactile alert such as handset vibration can also be sent.

As system users enter a location running LAMA, such as a railway station or airport, their mobile phone actively recognises the system and provides a list of messaging services on offer. Following service registration, users can be automatically alerted to public address announcements, which are immediately converted into their preferred format.

"I am very excited about the potential of this development as it can reduce the sense of isolation that hearing impaired people have. Specifically, it offers the opportunity for hearing impaired people to be aware of urgent announcements whether they be on public transport or in the workplace," said David Livermore, Chairman of Deafness Research UK and former Chairman of the RNID.

The system is of particular benefit to hearing-impaired people as it enables them to receive critical information such as emergency alerts, fire alarms, security and safety instructions as text messages with accompanying alerts.

"LAMA addresses a number of issues for everyone in terms of getting the right information when needed. The smart thing about LAMA is that information can be delivered in a number of different ways, so people with various levels of hearing and visual impairment can use it to receive the same information as everyone else," said Claire Leckey, IBM Software Developer and LAMA project business analyst.

System installation simply requires the location to integrate LAMA hardware and software into their existing IT and communications infrastructure. This enables LAMA-enabled mobile phones to interact with the LAMA system to access information and notifications that are specific to that location. LAMA makes use of Bluetooth and GPRS technologies, and can be adapted to work with WiFi and GSM networks.

LAMA is due to be piloted in coming months across the UK. When fully implemented it is anticipated that users will be able to easily download LAMA client software to their mobile phone from a web site.