What is A Multimodal System?

Technology is generally designed to support the largest practicable range of end users. This, however, may render common devices unsuitable for those in society with disabilities or impairments.

The University of Glasgow is using its expertise in Multimodality to create solutions for this common problem. A Multimodal System is designed to allow alternative means of interaction with devices using a wide range of senses, e.g. vision, audio and touch.

If we take the example of a person who is deaf or has limited hearing, audio reminders may be of no use to them. It would be much more useful if visual reminders could be played on the nearest device to the person's location. If they are watching TV, for example, a reminder could appear on the screen.