VISO

Viso is the world's first interactive windshield technology focused on empowering deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers through intuitive, real-time visual alerts. With the belief that awareness shouldn't depend on hearing, Viso transforms ambient audio cues such as sirens, honks, and emergency sounds into directional, glanceable visual signals that seamlessly integrate into a driver’s line of sight.

Role

Product/UX Designer

Industry

Automotive

Duration

3 Weeks

Project Brief:

From sirens and horns to engine knocks and screeching tires, sound plays a critical role in how drivers receive real-time feedback and stay safe on the road. It can make driving an overwhelming auditory experience. These audio cues often provide the first, and sometimes only, indication of danger. But what happens when a driver can’t hear them?

For the 430 million people globally living with disabling hearing loss, the road is a disadvantage for many. Deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers are expected to navigate an environment built around sound without the benefit of hearing. As a result, they must rely entirely on visual attention. While studies show that deaf drivers are just as capable as hearing drivers, their access to environmental awareness is limited by a lack of inclusive design. The current vehicle landscape doesn't offer equitable access to provide to these drivers, leaving them without the crucial context they need in fast-moving or emergency situations. Addressing this problem isn’t just about accessibility, it’s about fairness, dignity, and confidence behind the wheel.

Problem:

Hearing-impaired drivers struggle to understand daily driving cues that take away from the natural aspect of driving. This leads to a vote of insecurity, self-concious, and safety issues while driving. Understanding your surroundings is a key factor to drive in towards natural state of traffic.

Context:

Target Users: Deaf and elderly drivers who are hard-of-hearing but still need/prefer to drive are the main target audience of this project
User Needs: Studies from National Association of the Deaf show that deaf users prefer advance warning (not turn-right-now) and icon-based systems over text-heavy ones.
User Goals: Helping deaf drivers gain confidence with visual cues to fill the gap of the absence of auditory awareness while driving.
Role: UX/UI Designer — responsible for research, visual design, and interaction design.

Process:

Research: Categorized the research into three main groups; Awareness, Disadvantage, and Danger. Research findings explained how deaf drivers often develop heightened visual processing abilities, face challenges due to the auditory nature of certain driving cues, and the absence of auditory information can lead to compromised safety.
Competitive Analysis: Audited other navigation apps regarding accessibility features (Google Maps, Apple Maps, Garmin GPS).
Visual Design: Developed a unique icon system with clear iconography and color contrast that represent audio cues.

Proposal:

Viso is an interactive windshield system that visually translates ambient or critical sound alerts (sirens, honks, etc.) into visual/haptic signals. This design package, often a manufacturer's add-on, leverages real-time sound recognition and directional analysis to identify the source, type, and urgency of ambient alerts. Once detected, the system communicates this information non-verbally through on-glass visual overlays such as flashing icons, color-coded zones, or directional arrows integrated seamlessly into the driver’s field of vision. For additional awareness, vibration cues can be sent through the steering wheel or seat to supplement the visual system. By reimagining the windshield as an assistive interface, Viso ensures that deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers are empowered with the same level of environmental awareness as those who hear normally without distraction or cognitive overload. This project explores how feedback systems can bridge sensory gaps and reduce anxiety for underrepresented driver populations. Viso is an effort to bring accessibility to the forefront of automotive UX to make safety a shared standard.

Summary:

Deaf and hard-of-hearing drivers face significant challenges navigating a vehicle landscape built entirely around sound, where critical cues like sirens, honks, and voice-first GPS navigation are inaccessible, leading to driving anxiety and safety risks. To address this, Viso was developed as an interactive windshield technology and manufacturer add-on that visually translates ambient audio into intuitive signals directly within the driver's line of sight. By leveraging real-time sound recognition and directional analysis, the system communicates urgency non-verbally through on-glass visual overlays with flashing icons, color-coded zones, and directional arrows, complemented by haptic vibration cues through the steering wheel or seat. Featuring advance, icon-based navigation prompts designed to minimize cognitive load, Viso replaces traditional, distracted screen-viewing with seamless spatial awareness. Ultimately, this assistive interface bridges sensory gaps and reduces driving anxiety, empowering underrepresented populations with the autonomy and equal environmental awareness necessary to navigate traffic confidently.

Full Case Study