Virtual Booth

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, accessibility and inclusivity are becoming essential components of product design, especially in everyday settings such as the kitchen. For visually impaired individuals, beginner cooks, and elderly users with diminishing eyesight, simple culinary tasks like identifying and using seasoning bottles can present unexpected challenges. Traditional seasoning containers rely heavily on visual labels, offering little to no support for those who cannot rely on sight. Visually impaired individuals often face significant obstacles when engaging in food preparation due to the lack of accessible tools. Distinguishing between similar-looking containers becomes a frustrating and error-prone process. Current kitchen tools and labeling systems fail to meet the unique needs of these users, highlighting a clear gap in accessible kitchen design. After careful observation and a lot of examination of current kitchen tools and user experiences, it was concluded that the visually impaired faced a challenging task in preparing food. The insights gathered from this research highlighted a clear gap in accessible kitchen design and underscored the urgent need for an inclusive alternative.

We’ve conducted an interview with around four people aged between 18–20 respectively. A few of them are tech enthusiasts and gave thoughtful reviews of our product as a whole. One is a beginner cook who also proved our product’s technicality in the kitchen while also criticizing any flaws in our product. Lastly, one of our reviewers happened to be a caretaker for a blind relative and gave us some insights into how we can improve our product's versatility. The prototype of this innovative seasoning bottle was developed using a combination of observation data and Shapr3D software. Shapr3D was used to create precise 3D models, integrating Braille markings and an IoT-powered voice assistant module. This allowed for detailed simulations of the bottle’s design and functionality, ensuring it was ergonomic, accessible, and practical. The method also included real-user testing to refine the product design.

The first prototype took over four weeks to be developed, combining observation data and Shapr3D software to create a user-centered design that addresses the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals in the kitchen. The product’s practicality, time-saving design, and inclusivity were praised for making cooking safer, more accessible, and efficient, benefiting not only visually impaired individuals but also appealing to the general public. Introducing Tetrataste, a smart seasoning bottle designed to enhance the cooking experience for visually impaired users and anyone seeking convenience in the kitchen. Users rotate the encoder to select a seasoning, with the ESP32 microcontroller detecting the rotation and triggering the voice assistant to announce the selection through a small speaker. Braille markings provide tactile confirmation, while the product is powered by a 3.7V battery for wireless, portable use. The ESP32 processes the encoder’s movement to identify the seasoning, making Tetrataste an accessible, efficient, and innovative tool for seasoning food.

As a group, we hope that Tetrataste can spark meaningful change in how accessibility is approached in everyday kitchen tools. Our goal is to empower visually impaired individuals and others with similar challenges to cook with greater confidence, independence, and joy. We also hope that this innovation encourages designers and developers to prioritize inclusivity in future product designs. Ultimately, we envision Tetrataste as not just a helpful tool, but a step forward in creating a more inclusive and user-friendly kitchen experience for everyone.