Asterics Grid: Innovative Tool for Augmentative and Alternative Communication

The success story of AsTeRICS Grid at UAS Technikum Wien began in 2018. The research area on assistive technologies, which has existed since 2010, initially focused mainly on people with motor disabilities, but has grown significantly in recent years. Benjamin Klaus, the main developer responsible for AsTeRICS Grid, explains: “Our main focus was initially on tools such as the FLipMouse mouth control for people with motor impairments. However, we soon realized that difficulties with interpersonal communication are a huge issue, so we should also take a closer look at the topic of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The groups affected here are people with both cognitive and motor impairments”.

Grid-based, augmentative and alternative communication

The basic idea of AsTeRICS Grid is to offer grid-based AAC that enables people to communicate using symbols and/or writing – in combination with flexible control methods. Communication is thus possible at various levels, from simple, needs-oriented communication to complex, free communication. People who are unable to express themselves verbally are thus given a voice again. However, the journey from a small initiative to international success only began when ARASAAC, a cooperation partner from Spain, got in touch at the beginning of 2022.

ARASAAC, known for one of the world’s largest and most widely used free symbol sets for the UK, was looking for a suitable tool to use their symbols effectively. “Working with ARASAAC was a milestone. It was a recognition for us that they found us and saw us as a potential partner,” says Benjamin Klaus. ARASAAC is sponsored by the government of Aragon (region in Spain) with the aim of developing high-quality UK materials under free licenses. Cooperation with the AsTeRICS Grid, which is also freely licensed, was therefore ideal.

The promotion of the project via social media (Facebook and Instagram) from September 2022 led to an astonishing increase in user numbers. From 500 monthly visitors before the cooperation, user numbers rose to several thousand views per week within a short space of time. The focus is now on further developing the platform, building a community and attracting more developers to the project.

Interest from AKH and Klinik Floridsdorf

In Austria, AsTeRICS Grid has already aroused the interest of institutions such as Klinik Floridsdorf and Vienna General Hospital. The platform can be used to reduce communication barriers between patients and professionals. For example, communication about the current state of pain during a visit is conceivable for people who are permanently or temporarily unable to speak. The target groups range from children with autism to people in an intensive care unit who are unable to use any other form of communication due to their situation. AsTeRICS Grid offers configurations that take individual needs into account and strives to be an open platform that can be customized for users. After 2 successful test runs, the 3rd pilot phase of testing AsTeRICS Grid in everyday hospital life is currently underway at Klinik Floridsdorf. After completion of this phase, a roll-out to other clinics of the Vienna Healthcare Association (WIGEV) is planned.

Up to 8,000 users daily

The team behind AsTeRICS Grid consists of Benjamin Klaus, Benjamin Aigner, Chris Veigl, Martin Deinhofer and Alija Sabic, who are responsible for various aspects of the project. The innovative tool can be used by anyone free of charge in a web browser.

The platform currently has around 45,000 hits per week and continues on its path to further improve AAC and thus the participation of all people in society.

Further links:

Communication via Pictograms: Successful Use of App Developed at UASTW

Supported communication meets free licenses: AsTeRICS Grid at UK-Congress in Leipzig

Inclusion International – UAS Technikum Wien

Artikel mit weiteren Infos zu AsTeRICS Grid

AsTeRICS Grid

Asterics Grid on Facebook

Asterics Grid on Instagram

ARASAAAC – Aragonese Center for Augmentative and Alternative Communication

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