Recognizing that the so-called "blind man's dimple" on the '5' keypad of most cellular phones is actually of little use to the blind, designer Takumi Yoshida came up with the SENS concept.

To improve interaction between the user and the phone, SENS combines touch sensors and regular mechanical keys to provide real-time audio feedback. When the user touches a key, the phone tells them what key has been touched without actually registering it as an input. The user may hover across the keys to gain feedback on which key they are touching. Once the user is sure their finger is on the correct key, they can then press it just like on any other standard handset; a click sound is then fed back to confirm the input. In order to eliminate the need for other people in public to also hear the audio feedback from the phone, SENS has an integrated Blutooth headset which ensures it can't get misplaced.

The concept was developed in conjunction with students from the UK's Royal National Institute of Blind People. Click here for more info.

via gizmag