LUMITRAYDINING TRAY LumiTrayhelps people with visual impairments navigate multi-dish meals by illuminating the boundaries of bowls, plates, and utensils. The light-guided tray makes each item easier to locate, supporting safer, more confident, and independent dining every meal.
LumiTray began with a simple realization: most people with visual impairments are not totally blind but have limited, blurry, or low-contrast vision, yet many existing visual aids are designed primarily for people with complete blindness. Everyday tasks like locating a bowl, reaching for a spoon, or distinguishing dishes can become stressful, especially in Korean dining, where multiple dishes are placed close together. Inspired by how high visual contrast improves perception, LumiTray uses light to reveal tableware boundaries, helping users make the most of their remaining vision without changing familiar dining habits.
LumiTray enhances the visibility of a meal using light, contrast, and a familiar dining layout. Its dark tray surface contains illuminated zones corresponding to key dining elements such as rice, soup, side dishes, and utensils. The high contrast between the black surface and soft white light helps users with low vision distinguish object boundaries more easily. When tableware is placed on the tray, it partially blocks the light, leaving a visible glow around its edges. This illuminated outline clearly defines each item's size, position, and boundary, making it easier to locate dishes and utensils without searching across the table. The layout follows a traditional Korean meal but can be adapted to other dining styles. Integrated pressure sensors automatically activate the lighting when tableware is placed on the tray, eliminating the need to find or operate a switch while ensuring the system is only illuminated when in use.