IDEA

UNFEAR is the first intelligent noise cancellation app that protects people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and hearing disorders from stressful noises that provoke panic attacks and anxiety crises. Everyday sounds such as  barks, sirens or construction works can trigger a risk or danger, now avoidable, for these people.

Until now, noise cancellation headphones were their only alternative, but it isolates them. 
Samsung's objective was to use existing tech to create a smart and universal solution to suppress specific noises and improve the quality of life of the autistic community (over 70M people globally and more than 450K only in Spain). 

UNFEAR app continuously listens, pinpointing every sound before cross-referencing in real-time with thousands of libraries to suppress only the noises that affect them. 

The app has a pictogram design that facilitates usability and cognitive accessibility for all users. Its 5 functions make this multi-tool an indispensable assistant for people with ASD and acoustic sensitivity in their daily routine.

FUNCTIONS

OUTSIDE SOUND MODE automatically cancels ambient noises selected by the user through an educated algorithm with more than 2M sounds. 

MOBILE CONTENT MODE equalizes the sound coming from the phone, to offer an adapted audio. It has 4 programs: Movies, Video games, Social networks and Music.

FOCUS MODE mutes ambient sound except for conversations. Only the user's voice reopens the microphones and interrupts the mode.

CALM MODE automatically plays a soothing audio or video when the user is upset. This allows the user to calm down and return to normal. 

SOS BUTTON automatically calls the emergency contact (family member, doctor...) to follow up the crisis in real time.

STRATEGY

Our strategy was centered on helping a target that is usually forgotten, providing them a multifunctional tool that helps them listen live with no fear to regular noises allowing them to be in any environment freely. 

Phase 1: While developing Unfear, the app was tested with more than 100 people. People on the spectrum, family members, doctors, psychotherapists and engineers helped us to achieve a useful tool with their inputs.

Phase 2: On April 2, during International Autism Awareness Day, our free app was released to the media to generate downloads on Google Play and Galaxy Store and start a conversation. We had more than 100 local & international media covering our tool created in collaboration with the main Spanish ASD associations. They helped us spread the news throughout the collective. 

Phase 3: Finally, we launched a video showing the app during Fallas, the loudest Holiday in Spain. Where an ASD kid enjoyed this street festival filled with fireworks for the 1st time.

Unfear app was developed by a team of developers, sound engineers, doctors, therapists and 10 of the most important ASD associations in Spain who helped providing feedback on all the improvements that were done during the 9 months of research. We worked hand to hand with members of the ASD collective to design an easy to use app for a correct comprehension of its functions by members. A mini tutorial on the download platforms also explains to users how intuitive, easy and functional the app is. The app was launched initially in Spain but is planned to be ready to use worldwide.

RESULTS

To date, the results are very promising: from +5,000 downloads with a user rating of 4.7/5, to testimonials from professionals in the medical sector and the scientific endorsement of the Spanish Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health. In addition, more than 200 local and international media, both general and advertising industry, talked about Unfear, achieving 1M earned media with the promotional videos.

This has helped to increase downloads and usage of the app, give visibility to the ASD community and reaffirm Samsung's commitment to help through technology. In addition, during the app's first months on the market, the brand donated 100 Galaxy Buds2 Pro to leading autism associations to promote its use and demonstrate its effectiveness among the community.

Unfear continues the work done by Samsung in its Technology with Purpose (TCP) campaign. For more than a decade, the brand has worked on more than 30 projects with an investment of more than 25 million euros to help and improve people's lives through technology and innovation.

ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTION
For more info about the app, how to download it and a test to learn how it works, please visit https://unfear.app/