In early 2021, Cognixion expects to launch a new wearable, which Forsland describes as a “heads-up display that includes AR and a BCI. It’s a complete integrated system that includes BCI electronics using EEG [electroencephalogram] as well as the accessibility of using head gaze and other things for controlling the AR environment. It’s essentially one elegant solution that can accommodate a variety of access methods within a very simple form factor.”
While Cognixion is currently focused on addressing the specific needs of those with communication disabilities, Forsland describes Cognixion’s work as a pebble in the water that could have a much larger ripple effect into the global community. Viewing the world through a lens of universal design, Forsland believes that by focusing on a unique need, the world benefits when those solutions can be adopted universally.
“By designing for the least of us, we benefit the most of us.” — Andreas Forsland
A philosophy that motivates Cognixion’s work, universal design is a design approach that considers the wide spectrum of human abilities and improves accessibility and inclusivity. When something is universally designed, it can be used easily by everyone. One of the most common examples of universal design is the sidewalk ramp. Originally designed for those with wheelchairs to conveniently and safely use sidewalks, it also benefits small children, seniors, people riding bikes, parents pushing strollers, and others.
From Forsland’s perspective, “20% of the world has a disability, and 100% will become old,” meaning that, in a sense, we are only temporarily abled. “By focusing all of our attention and efforts and energy into designing for people with disabilities, you truly are designing for everyone because eventually we all may end up needing to use the tools that we’re creating today.”
By translating universal design approaches and improving accessibility to assistive technology, Cognixion is building a more equitable and inclusive world — a world where “you have new ideas and new voices being expressed, you have people fulfilling themselves… And not just what they can do, but the network effect… For any individual that has a disability, they have a family, they have friends, they have their first and second and third degree circles in their social graph that also benefit by that individual being empowered… There’s this huge ripple effect.”
Watch a recording of the full discussion here:
