Stephen Hawking's speech software has enabled him to carry on an incredibly successful scientific life, communicating his findings, life advice and even humor to the world. Now, this incredible communication program is available to the general public for free.
The Assistive Context-Aware Toolkit (ACAT) was created by Intel and is now a free open source software with the purpose of getting others to improve it. It uses a webcam to recognize facial cues, like the movement of a cheek, and coordinates them with a predictive keyboard. It also can allow the user to search the web or work on documents through simple visual cues.
With the technology's release, the developments expected down the line are integration of things like proximity sensors and Intel's RealSense 3D camera. The release of Stephen Hawking's speech software is intended to provide a wheelchair connected communication system for anyone who needs it -- a life-changing technology for many.
What's Driving This Trend
- Free Speech Software
- The rise of free speech software can disrupt the assistive technology industry by making communication more accessible.
- Facial Recognition Technology
- Facial recognition software such as ACAT have the potential to revolutionize both the healthcare and tech industries by providing increased accessibility to those with disabilities.
- Predictive Keyboards
- The development and refinement of predictive keyboard technology will continue to make communication easier and more accessible for individuals that may have motor impairments.
Who This Affects Most
- Assistive Technology
- The assistive technology industry has an opportunity to be disrupted by the development of facial recognition and predictive keyboard software.
- Healthcare
- The healthcare industry can benefit from the integration of facial recognition technology to provide better accessibility to medical treatment for those with disabilities.
- Tech
- Incorporation of assistive technology such as ACAT into mainstream tech markets can provide an opportunity to develop more inclusive products.
