Eyes on the Palm: Investigating a Ring-Shaped Camera for Seamless Accessible Tactile Exploration

Tactile exploration is essential for blind and low vision (BLV) individuals to understand objects and spaces. Yet little is known about how camera-based devices can support hand-centric exploration: tactilely examining exhibits while inquiring about and processing information. We investigate a finger-worn ring camera that captures images from the palm side while allowing tactile exploration, comparing it with hand-centered smartphones. We conducted a Wizard-of-Oz study with 11 BLV participants in a science museum. Results showed that the ring camera supported effective bimanual strategies: exploring with both hands, lifting the camera-worn hand while keeping the other as an anchor during inquiry, and resuming bimanual touch for information processing. In contrast, smartphones led to effortful, fragmented exploration. Building on these findings, we developed an interactive system and evaluated its reliability and practicality with 6 BLV participants. We contribute insights and design implications for wearable camera systems that augment tactile exploration in real-world settings.