DOT. THE FIRST BRAILLE SMARTWATCH 2016-2017戛纳狮 - 设计类 - 银奖 DOT与世界各地的盲文教育机构建立了紧密的关系，提供了符合B&VI人实际需要的最终产品。DOT在全球范围内被推广和分发，在世界范围内的盲人和视力受损者，以及盲人和视力受损者的媒体上传播。 DOT | SERVICEPLAN | 2017 Design - G01 Design Excellence in Effectiveness Synopsis 285 Mio. people worldwide – 4% of the population – are blind and visually impaired (B&VI). Living without vision is complicated – and for the last 20 years, there were almost no innovations in communications technology for the B&VI: Existing digital Braille reading devices are heavy, bulky and expensive. They weigh around 2kg, require carrying bags and cost in between $3,000 to $15,000. This makes them unaffordable to the majority of B&VI people: only 5% own such a device – not to speak of the situation in developing countries.Audio solutions are impractical, because hearing is important for B&VI people: Earphones isolate from the surrounding, making orientation and communication difficult, loudspeakers eliminate privacy. For deaf-blind people, Braille is essential.This “discrimination by technology” causes disadvantages in social life and especially in education: Braille literacy has decreased to under 10%, despite studies showing that Braille literacy leads to a 3 times higher chance of employment. Strategy The main goal in development was to increase affordability. The development of DOT’s own innovative Active Braille Technology made this possible: It reduces size and production cost by more than ten times, increases speed and keeps energy consumption low.Strategically, the DOT Smartwatch is the entry device into the assistive technology market. Based on its technology, a low-price DOT Mini for developing countries, integration into utilities like ATMs and a DOT Pad are already in development for release in 2017/18.DOT was developed in close relationship with Braille education institutes all over the world, to deliver a final product that fits the actual needs of B&VI people.