The Responsible Artificial Intelligence Lab (RAIL) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), in collaboration with the Department of Health Promotion and Rehabilitation Studies, has conducted prototype testing of a range of AI-powered assistive technologies with persons with disabilities as part of efforts to develop more inclusive and user-centred solutions.
The exercise brought together potential end-users to interact with the prototypes and provide feedback to guide further development.
Speaking on the purpose of the engagement, Principal Investigator of RAIL, Prof. Wisdom Jerry John Kponyo, said the initiative reflects the Lab’s commitment to designing technologies that respond directly to the needs of persons with disabilities.
“Many of the solutions that have been developed in the past are not being used. The major problem has been that the users have not been consulted in the development,” he said.
He explained that RAIL is addressing that challenge through an “inclusivity by design” approach, which involves persons with disabilities from the idea stage through development and testing.
“Today, what we are doing is prototype testing. We are hoping that they can interact with the prototype and provide us with feedback so that together we can say that we have co-designed and co-developed the assistive technology,” Prof. Kponyo said.
He added that the success of the Lab’s work is measured not only by commercial value, but by the number of lives improved.
“When it comes to impact, how we measure impact is not so much the commercial value, but how many people are benefiting from the work that we are doing,” he said.
The Head of the Department of Health Promotion and Rehabilitation Studies, Prof. Wisdom Mprah, also stressed the importance of user involvement, noting that no single technology can solve every challenge facing persons with disabilities.
“We should recognize that not every technology can solve every challenge. That is why we want everyone to be involved in the process, so that the final product will be effective, relevant, and beneficial to a wider range of persons with disabilities,” he said.
During the session, the Assistive Technology Team Lead, Dr. Justice Owusu Agyemang, demonstrated four innovations developed by the Lab. They included I-See, an AI-powered smart white cane for persons with visual impairment that communicates in local languages; I-Wheel, a motorised intelligent wheelchair developed from a conventional wheelchair at lower cost; I-Hear, an AI-powered hearing aid that separates speech from background noise; and SignTalk, an AI-enabled platform that supports communication between sign language users and healthcare professionals through an avatar-based interpretation system.
The Director of Social Welfare and Community Development at the Asokwa Municipal Assembly, Mr. Dickson Frimpong, commended the initiative and pledged support in helping the team build partnerships with government and other stakeholders to secure funding and improve access to the technologies.
Participants who tested the devices welcomed the innovations and said they had the potential to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities.
Ashanti Regional President of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, Mr. Gyimah Minkah Andrews, described the prototypes as promising and urged the team to maintain high standards while ensuring affordability.
“We wish we could take the products home today and start using them. This shows how excited we are that the team at RAIL is thinking about us and our well-being. We are grateful,” he said.
Looking ahead, Prof. Kponyo disclosed plans to pilot SignTalk in selected hospitals and distribute some of the devices to persons with disabilities for extended field testing before final production.
He said the initiative forms part of KNUST’s broader commitment to inclusive innovation.
“KNUST believes in leaving no one behind. We are hoping that persons with disabilities can live their potential to the fullest,” he added.
Credit: KNUST
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