Living in a household with technology fans, I'm always aware of when the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) takes place. Known as THE place for tech companies to show off their latest gadgets, CES is an annual trade show organized by the Consumer Technology Association. During the event, the CES Innovation Awards are given out to those companies poised to make a profound and exceptional difference in the lives of consumers.
Among the numerous award categories is one for accessibility acknowledging truly clever and groundbreaking products. A few of the innovations include:
- The WHILL Autonomous Model A by WHILL: a powerchair that makes navigating places like the airport easier. On the powerchair touchscreen, the user presses the destination, and the chair incredibly moves autonomously, using its onboard features to avoid obstacles and break where needed.
- BrailleWear by ORama AI: smart gloves where users can simultaneously feel braille dots and hear an auditory translation of what they are feeling, giving them a way to associate the dots with the character(s).
- WL1 Bidet Toilet Lift by Dignity Lifts: a power bidet which helps users get to a seated position on the toilet and assists with washing and drying.
The list is truly inventive, and the products will hopefully go on to help many people navigate their day-to-day lives. To view the full list of honorees, click here.
Source
Sarsby, S. (2023, January 10). 14 winners announced at the CES 2023 Innovation Awards in the accessibility category. AT Today. 14 winners announced at the CES 2023 Innovation Awards in the accessibility category - AT Today - Assistive Technology