The development and evaluation of the SmartAbility Android Application to detect users' abilities

TL;DR

The paper presents the development and evaluation of SmartAbility, an Android app that detects user abilities using device sensors to recommend assistive technology for individuals with physical impairments.

Contribution

It introduces a novel sensor-based Android application for assessing user abilities and demonstrates its usability through empirical evaluation with diverse participants.

Findings

Achieved a SUS score of 72.5 indicating good usability.

Low levels of Temporal Demand and Frustration during use.

Medium levels of Mental Demand, Physical Demand, and Effort.

Abstract

The SmartAbility Android Application recommends Assistive Technology (AT) for people with reduced physical ability, by focusing on the actions (abilities) that can be performed independently. The Application utilises built-in sensor technologies in Android devices to detect user abilities, including head and limb movements, speech and blowing. The Application was evaluated by 18 participants with varying physical conditions and assessed through the System Usability Scale (SUS) and NASA Task Load Index (TLX). The Application achieved a SUS score of 72.5 (indicating 'Good Usability') with low levels of Temporal Demand and Frustration and medium levels of Mental Demand, Physical Demand and Effort. It is anticipated that the SmartAbility Application will be disseminated to the AT domain, to improve quality of life for people with reduced physical ability.