We are pleased to invite you to a Keynote Lecture by Sile O’Modhrain, Professor at the University of Michigan and renowned researcher in the field of Human Computer Interaction.
From Concept to Codex: The Design and Development of a Multi-Line Braille Display
Sile O’Modhrain
When: Monday 13th October 2025 Time: 17:00 – 19:30 (Welcome Reception at 17:00, Lecture at 18:00) Where: Intel Lecture Theatre, Central Quad, TU Dublin, Grangegorman.
Abstract: It is rare to have the opportunity to present a research project that makes it out of the lab and into the marketplace because there are so many challenges and pitfalls involved in moving from concept to product. Sometimes these are because an idea just isn’t a good fit with the needs of the population it is designed for, sometimes a concept fails because it is ahead of its time, and sometimes the funding just dries up. But when the stars align, it is a real privilege to design and develop something that can have a real impact in people’s lives. In this talk, I will present NewHaptics’ journey from concept to product with the Codex multi-line braille display. I will begin by introducing some of the basic research, from hardware to tactile perception studies to UX design, that informed the early development of the product. I will then discuss some of the significant decisions we made along the way. Finally, I will describe some of the features of the current device, to illustrate how the form and function of the product continue to evolve in response to an iterative design approach involving blind people at all levels including concept design, hardware specification, software development and user experience evaluation.
This keynote lecture is supported by the Digital Futures Research Hub, the School of Computer Science and the School of Media at TU Dublin as part of a wider programme of events on the 13th and 14th of October to celebrate World Sight Day and accessibility research @TU Dublin.
Information on the wider programme is available here:
World Sight Day 2025
We know it is a busy time in the academic year, but we would be delighted if you would be able to join us: and, please also feel free to circulate to any other colleagues you think might be interested.
As refreshments will be provided, it would be helpful if you could please confirm your attendance for the keynote lecture and any other activities that you would like to attend via this link.
