Interactive smart home technologies for users with visual disabilities: a systematic mapping of the literature

Abstract

This paper presents a systematic mapping of the literature concerning interactive technologies for smart homes targeting users with visual disabilities. The analysis stemmed from a search resulting in 265 papers, of which 25 were selected. The results show the main types of interaction modes reported, including voice, gesture, touch, keyboard and ambient sensors. Technological approaches included desktop computers, mobile devices, embedded systems and stand-alone smart devices. The studies showed important features to aggregate different interaction modalities and provide accessible interfaces in mobile and desktop devices to interact with the home. This paper provides valuable insight into implications for the design of smart home technologies for users with visual disabilities and reveals significant research gaps to be investigated in the future, including overcoming barriers with legacy inaccessible utilities and methodologies to enhance user research in the area.