Augmented reality glasses to help people with low vision in daily activities
Official title: SCH: Scene-Aware AR Systems for Low Vision People in Activities of Daily Living
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11063313 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing new augmented reality glasses that help people with low vision see better while cooking and moving around outside, making everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $352,291 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EY037100-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063313 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing uncorrectable vision loss who seek to enhance their daily living activities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fully functional vision or those whose vision loss is correctable through conventional means may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing augmented reality (AR) glasses designed specifically for individuals with low vision, aiming to enhance their ability to perform daily activities. By intelligently recognizing the environment, these glasses will provide tailored visual augmentations that improve the user's experience without distorting their natural vision. The project will explore how to effectively augment visual elements in two key activities: meal preparation and outdoor mobility, ensuring that the technology adapts to the user's specific visual abilities and context.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the independence and quality of life for individuals with low vision by enabling them to navigate their environments more effectively.
How similar studies have gone: While augmented reality technology has been explored in various contexts, this specific approach tailored for low vision individuals is innovative and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Yuhang — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Yuhang
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.