Eikholt takes over the Haptics app: Pocket edition
Haptics: Pocket edition, an app developed by Hapti-Co, has been an important resource for people with vision loss and combined visual and hearing impairment/deafblindness. Now Eikholt has taken over ownership and partnered with Hapti-Co. The aim is to develop the app on a new platform so that it can once again be available to everyone. This collaboration will ensure that the app can continue to support users, carers and professionals.
About the Haptics app: Pocket edition
Haptics: Pocket edition is an app designed to support people with vision loss and combined visual and hearing impairment/deafblindness. The app provides an overview of 144 signals in haptic communication, a method of communicating via touch. All signals are described in the app with images, text and video, and are available in both Norwegian and English.
Recently, the app has not been available for Android users. This is something Eikholt wants to change
Managing Director Roar Meland
The app was developed in 2020 through a project funded by The Dam Foundation the LSHDB was the search organisation. The app has users all over the world. It has been available on both Apple and Android, but has recently not been available for Android users. This is something Eikholt wants to change!
New ownership and development
Hapti-Co wanted Eikholt to take over ownership of the app, and Eikholt has shown great interest in this. The contract has now been signed, and the app will be developed on a new platform. This work will be managed by Than Tøgard, ICT advisor at Eikholt. She will be supported by the professional expertise of Hildebjørg Karlsen Bjørge, Inger Lise Vincent and Kathrine Goborg Rehder, the trio that make up Hapti-Co, and Sail who will assist on the technical side.
The aim of taking over ownership of the app is to ensure that it remains safely accessible to all users, carers and professionals in the field of deafblindness.
We recognise the importance of the app as a source of knowledge, and we want it to remain so.
Managing Director Roar Meland
- We recognise the importance of the app as a source of knowledge, and we want it to remain so. Now there was a need to take action on the technical side to ensure that the app continues to operate safely, and we are pleased that Hapti-Co is showing us confidence by asking if this is something we want to contribute to," says CEO Roar Meland.
Why the app and haptic signals are important
Haptic communication is, as mentioned, a method of conveying information through touch. The app Haptics: Pocket edition is one of the tools used to ensure access to this knowledge. Here are some of the benefits of haptic signals:
- Haptic signals can supplement spoken or sign language, thus providing a more complete communication. This is especially important for people with limited vision and hearing.
- The signals can be used to describe people, surroundings, events, reactions, emotions and more. People with deafblindness often miss out on non-verbal communication such as body language and emotional expressions. Haptic signals can convey these elements, such as smiles and laughter, in a way that is accessible and contributes to participation and inclusion.
- Haptic signals can be customised to the individual's needs and preferences, making them highly flexible and effective in different situations.
- Haptic signals convey information in a discreet way, creating a sense of security for the recipient and contributing to more active social interaction.
A continuation of good co-operation
Technical Manager Thomas Øverby welcomed the takeover of the app and the continued co-operation:
- Eikholt also has a common target group with Hapti-Co and a history of good co-operation in the field of communication. Hapti-Co has contributed to courses with its expertise on haptic signals, and been contributors to projects such as Boundless sports fun and Haptic and guide dog. As mentioned, the app is an important source of knowledge, and the dissemination of knowledge is one of Eikholt's missions, so this is a natural task for Eikholt to take on.
On behalf of Hapti-Co, Hildebjørg Karlsen Bjørge expressed her delight that Eikholt will now be taking over, ensuring that the app lives on and also has the opportunity for improvements and development.
Stay tuned!
- We are excited to help make Haptics: Pocket edition to be available to everyone, and look forward to working with Hapti-Co to ensure that the app continues to support people with combined visual and hearing impairment/deafblindness, their carers and professionals," says Than Tøgard, who will be responsible for further development.
- We'll start work in the autumn of 2025. We haven't yet been able to sit down together and draw up a development plan, as the contract was only recently signed, but we're looking forward to getting started. Of course, we'll make sure to let you know when we know more. So stay tuned," Than urges,
Read more?
About Haptic communication and guide dogs: Haptic communication and guide dog - Eikholt
About the boundless joy of sport: Boundless sports fun: how to participate as a spectator in a football match
About different forms of communication for people with combined visual and hearing impairment/deafblindness: Communication - Eikholt
Communication with combined visual and hearing impairment
Do you have any questions?
If you have general questions, please contact us. You can find contact information here: Contact us - Eikholt
If you have any questions about the development of the app, please contact the ICT advisor at Eikholt, Than Tøgard.
