Sierra Biddulph

I led the product design team for Glide's AI accessibility device. We increased user trust and pioneered a usability testing method for blind users that was featured in the Human-Computer Interaction International conference.

Human-Computer Interaction International 2025

Featured in Research Innovations

+50%

TASK SUCESS RATE

95%

SYSTEM USABILITY SCALE SCORE

Overview and Team Detials

OVERVIEW

My team designed a design system and usability testing methodology to build user trust. Our testing methodology was featured in in the Human-Computer Interaction International conference.

Outcome

Revolutionary testing method, trust-first design system, 100+ user research insights

Role

Lead Product Designer

Responsibilities

Design Leadership, UX Research, Prototyping

Design Leadership, UX Research

Collaborators

PMs, Research

Product Managment, Glidance CEO, Research

Timeline

3 months

CONTEXT

Glide is a mobility device that navigates and guides blind users around obstacles using AI. The product is set to launch in 2026 and has built a strong following of 400+ people who pre-ordered the device. Glide needed a contract team to research and create a framework for creating a companion app for the device.

Glide by Glidance is a mobility device that physically guides blind users through their environment using AI. Users hold a handle and push the device forward while it steers them around obstacles, finds doors and stairs, and navigates them where they need to go. Unlike canes or guide dogs that require extensive training, people can learn Glide in minutes. It's also econmical at a fraction of the cost of a guide dog. This craeted a buzz of 500 epoplewho pre-ordered the device

CLIP FROM NBC's TODAY SHOW

THE PROBLEM

Our survey of 100+ Glidance pre-order customers revealed that 78% of respondents are skeptical of new accessibility products. They’d seen exciting demos before, only to have the tech break down in everyday situations. The community had developed what researchers call "innovation fatigue"—a protective skepticism toward new accessibility technology that promises life-changing independence.

Frequent interface changes make new technologies hard to use. Companies should test with visually impaired users to keep software accessible throughout updates.