Execution

May 2016, Selected as a Samsung C-Lab Project, Started to develop * C-Lab is an idea incubation program that nurtures innovative ideas among Samsung employees. Sep 2016, Tested hypothesis and Developed 1st version Visited the Welfare Center in Korea to test the hypothesis. The image processing algorithm for low vision improvement had been obtained through the test results, and Team Relúmino developed the first version of Relumino. Oct 2016, Developed 2nd version Developed image re-mapping function for defects in the visual fields such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, etc. The performance of rest of the features had also been improved compared to the first version Feb 2017 – May 2017, Unveiled at MWC 2017 and Gathered feedback form the visually impaired Exhibited the app prototype and received constructive feedbacks from many participants and the visually impaired. Jul 2017, Completed Clinical research and Developed 3rd version A total of 39 patients out of 40 completed clinical trials for 7months and developed 3rd version with higher performance as well as user-friendly UX Aug 2017, Launched Relúmino application in the market Launched the app for free through the Oculus store. Jan 2018, Exhibited Relúmino application and Relúmino glasses at CES 2018 Newly showcased the prototype of Relúmino glasses along with Relúmino. * Relúmino glasses are the next generation of Relúmino, still in development stage. Aug 2017 - Today Have been gathering feedbacks from users and updating Relúmino application. (e.g., voice command, fast focus, focus switch, reset, UX and etc.)

The Campaign

Relúmino is a visual aid application that works in conjunction with Samsung Gear VR to enhance the vision of people with low vision. Gear VR is an affordable, consumer-oriented virtual-reality headset that works with an inserted Samsung smartphone to display images directly in front of the user’s eyes. Relúmino uses the camera on the back of the inserted smartphone to detect what is front of the user and display the image to the user, in real time, in a magnified and customized form. The Relúmino app is able to adapt the image in various ways to address a variety of visual impairments.

Creative Execution

VR(virtual reality) is commonly associated with gaming and entertainment. However Team Relúmino saw VR technology differently and has made up with an extraordinary way to use VR headsets as a visual aid for the visually impaired. The visual aid application processes images from videos projected through the rear camera of a smartphone and makes the images visible to people with low vision. Specifically, its major features include: · Magnifying and minimizing image size; · Highlighting the image outline; · Adjusting color contrast and brightness; · Reversing color for reading ; · Image re-mapping (i.e., moving portions of the visual field to a different location) for those with tunnel-vision and blind-spot vision; · Omni-focal function (i.e., setting the mode differently when looking front and down); and · Screen color filtering. Relúmino brings people with low vision an affordable solution that is accessible, cost-effective, and easy to use. Other visual aids with similar features have come on the market priced at thousands of dollars, but Relúmino is a free downloadable app that can be easily used with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone and GearVR.

Relúmino’s broad applicability has been demonstrated through clinical research. In 2017, Samsung partnered with Department of Ophthalmology of Chung-Ang University Hospital for clinical trials. 39 patients out of 40 completed the trial and their average age was 54.64 (standard deviation 22.70). Over 97% of patients had significant improvement in their vision in short, medium and long distances while using the device. People with low vision who had a maximum of 0.1 (20/200) in corrected eyesight used Relúmino to achieve up to 0.8 (20/25) corrected eyesight. Also, their contrast sensitivities and reading accuracy increased significantly in statistics. All patients responded that they are satisfied with performance of Relúmino, and more than half (54%) of patients answered that the device was easy to use. Also, as the patients rated their average visual functions for daily activities around 11.7 points (total 30 points), but the number increased to 19.5 points after device usage.

Relúmino is a free-download app with similar or better quality that can be accessed easily by someone with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone and Gear VR, which together are less costly and more convenient to acquire. Whereas some of the visual aids in the market with similar effects come in either bulky machine sizes with limited usage or wearable glasses with very high cost (over 10,000 dollars), Relúmino can help the visually impaired attain the simplest but most critical chores of their everyday lives – from verifying dishes on their table to reading books to watching TV.