# Development of a visual-to-tactile conversion system for automating tactile graphic generation process

> **NIH NIH R43** · UNAR LABS, LLC · 2020 · $300,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
There are an estimated 23.7 million people who are blind or visually-impaired (BVI) in the U.S. and 285 million
globally. Of this population, 30% do not travel independently outside of their home, only ~11% have a bachelor’s
degree, and more than 70% are unemployed. The goal of this SBIR effort is to develop a novel system, which
performs principled down-sampling and translation of visual information from digital documents into tactile
equivalents. Timely access to information is one of the biggest challenges for BVI people. While access to textual
information has largely been solved via screen reading software (e.g., JAWS or VoiceOver), very little progress
has been made in making graphical information accessible. Although few assistive technology (AT) devices aim
provide non-visual graphical access, they suffer from several shortcomings including high cost, limited portability,
lack of multi-purpose, and inability to present information in a real-time context. Importantly, a common
underlying problem across all extant approaches is that they require intensive human effort for producing or
authoring tactile (and/or multimodal) graphics, which leads to high production costs and significant delays in the
time between when the accessible materials are needed, and when they are actually delivered, adversely
impacting BVI individuals in K-12 schools, colleges, and workplace settings. To address this long-standing
problem, UNAR Labs aims to develop a novel system, which will automatically down-sample and translate visual
graphical information into an intuitive tactile equivalent that can be used in tactile embossers. Building upon eight
years of empirical research, this Phase I SBIR effort will prove the technical feasibility and functional viability of
a prototype system for automating visual-to-tactile graphic conversion process and using the output in
embossers. Two specific aims will guide this Phase I project: (1) to develop a prototype of an automated system
for performing visual-to-tactile conversion without human intervention, and (2) to assess the technical feasibility
and functional utility of the system through a rigorous human study. Success in this effort will provide a robust
automated system for tactile graphic generation and promote empowerment of millions of BVI individuals by
supporting increased educational attainment, proliferation of vocational opportunities, and enhancing overall
quality of life for BVI people.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10008494
- **Project number:** 1R43EY031628-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNAR LABS, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Richard Corey
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $300,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-08-01 → 2021-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10008494

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10008494, Development of a visual-to-tactile conversion system for automating tactile graphic generation process (1R43EY031628-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-30 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10008494. Licensed CC0.

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