Design of Smart Objects for the Digital Transition: User-Centered Design, Digital Technologies, Additive Manufacturing. Development of innovative products to enhance well-being and social inclusion.

Talking Hands, developed in recent years by LiMiX Srl, a Unicam spin-off, Talking Hands is a data-gove system for augmentative and alternative Communication, designed to assist individuals with temporary or permanent language impairments, enhancing their ability to engage in social interactions and, consequently, improving their quality of life. Usable both as a rehabilitative tool and as a communication aid, the device can detect hand movements, apply a recognition algorithm, and translate these movements into verbal language in real time through a dedicated application. The aesthetics and user experience were developed following a user-centered design methodology. This involved identifying three different target user profiles and defining specific routines associated with five key contexts of their daily lives. For each user, a personalized design of the device was developed to address their identity, expectations, and social background. The final product design was prototyped using additive manufacturing processes and tested in a real operational context to verify the alignment between initial expectations and the satisfaction of actual needs.