Variantor - Variantor

An experience-based tool to aid color universal design. Variantor helps you to understand what the world looks like to color deficient people. Just by wearing Variantor, allows you to very simply experience first-hand the confusing color combinations such people see.

Topics

Variantor flyervariantor_english_cambridge.pdf (0.3MB)
Inquiry and Purchase (Sales agent: Cambridge Research Systems Ltd.)
http://www.crsltd.com/tools-for-vision-science/usability-universal-design/variantor-dichromatic-spectacles/
Experience Color Blindness (movie, 90sec)
Commendation for Science and Technology Winners (2011)
Variantor won a Good Design Award 2007

What is the significance of color universal design?

For universal access, "confusing color combinations" should be avoided in documents that may be read by people with color vision deficiency (CVD). However, for people with normal color vision, it is not easy to imagine which color combinations are confusing for individuals afflicted with CVD. Variantor helps you to understand what the world looks like to color deficient people. You can easily see the confusing color combinations just by wearing Variantor.

--Color Universal Design--
There are significant variations in the perception of color. So-called "people with color-vision deficiencies" (also known as Daltonism, color-weak people, colorblind people, or people with color-vision defects, or dyschromatopsia) account for the largest proportion of those who have different color vision from ordinary people. In Europe and the US, one out of every 10-12 males and 200 females is believed to be color-vision deficient, with a total of over 10 million in the US and around 2 million in the UK. Color Universal Design is a user-oriented design system, which has been developed in consideration of people with various types of color vision. It allows information to be accurately conveyed to as many individuals as possible (from Color Universal Design Organization, Japan).

What is Variantor?

1. Spectacles for normal color vision people
Variantor helps people with normal color vision to understand what the world looks like to, and which color combinations are confusing for color deficient people.

Disaster prevention map. LEFT: Normal color vision, RIGHT: Color vision deficiency simulation by Variantor

2. Just by wearing Variantor!
You can easily view the confusing color combinations experienced by people with color vision deficiency just by wearing the spectacles. It does not require any special skills.

3. World first
Variantor is the first and only wearing device in the world which simulates the ability of color discrimination on people with color vision deficiency. The filter used in the glasses was developed through a national project in Japan.

This tool was developed jointly by Prof. Shigeki Nakauchi, Toyohashi University of Technology, Prof. Keizo Shinomori, Kochi University of Technology and Itoh Optical Industrial Co.,Ltd. supported by the Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan.

Specifications

Name of product	Variantor
Use	An experience-oriented tool for color universal design
Type	Spectacles
Weight	About 60g (spectacle and the frame only)

Download
	Variantor flyer(A4 size) variantor_flyer_en.pdf (1.8MB)

Download
	Variantor flyer(A4 size) variantor_english_cambridge.pdf (0.3MB)

Variantor has been recognized as a useful tool
for color universal design
by the authorized NPO color universal design
organization (CUDO), Japan.

CAUTION: Variantor is not designed to assist people with color vision deficiency. Variantor does not cure color vision deficiency. Driving a vehicle or operating a machine with Variantor may lead to serious injury or vehicle damage. Before using Variantor, please read the instruction manual carefully. NOTICE: Variantor cannot simulate the ability of color discrimination as expected for CRT/LC displays and LED lights.

Application

To Pagetop

Last update: 2019-07-22 (Mon) 01:25:45 (GMT)
online: 1 today4 yesterday11 total42086 since August 1st 2007