What The Tech: Accessibility know-how on the Consumer Electronics Show

Posted: Jan 16, 2026 7:10 AM CST

by
Justin Walker, WAKA Action 8 News

 

BY JAMEY TUCKER, Consumer Technology Reporter

Every 12 months, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas offers us a glimpse into the
way forward for devices. We see sooner automobiles, larger TVs, and futuristic-looking units. But a few of
essentially the most spectacular know-how this 12 months wasn’t about pace or flash—it was about independence and accessibility.

Here are a number of good devices that stand to do some actual good for individuals who need assistance, from
shedding their sight or listening to to these residing with dementia.

360 Direct Access: Real-Time Support for Deaf Users

This know-how is designed to assist people who find themselves deaf get stay buyer help for his or her tech
units. Instead of fighting telephone menus and chatbots, customers can join straight with a
help agent who makes use of signal language, providing actual assist in actual time.

Craig Radford, from 360 Direct Access, shared an thrilling growth, “We also just
developed an avatar that has ASL recognition, so you can actually sign to the avatar and the
avatar will respond back. It’s a two-way communication.”

Not solely does the platform assist prospects however Radford mentioned it will probably open up job alternatives for
folks within the deaf neighborhood as extra firms look so as to add the know-how to their web sites.

“Make Sense: A Guiding Hand for the Blind

Another machine referred to as Make Sense is designed for people who find themselves blind. It makes use of a handheld
controller, exact positioning, and audio clues to information customers safely from place to put. The
system goals to present customers confidence and accuracy in navigation.

Dr. Robert Quinn, of Make Sense, defined the precision of their routing. “Say I wish to go to
Starbucks, we’ve got our personal routing engine that can be paving compliant and crossing
compliant. It will announce crossings if you strategy them and if you end them. We
ought to be capable to find an individual with a meter, 99.9% of the time.
Quinn mentioned the hand-held machine can be launched subsequent 12 months and their plan is to make it small
sufficient to slot in a pocket.

“Companionship and Care: TomBot and Elli-Q

Not all innovation is targeted on mobility or communication; some firms are targeted on
one thing simply as necessary: companionship and emotional help.
● TomBot’s robotic canine is designed to offer emotional help for folks with
dementia who can’t look after an actual pet.
● Elli-Q is a house machine created for older adults residing alone. Part digital assistant, half
companion, it reminds them to take their remedy, helps plan meals, shares photographs
and telephone calls with relations, and even presents a comforting hug.
Assaf Gad, the developer behind Elli-Q, described its core mission, “the idea of Ellie Q is to be a
companion and to become the best friend, and develop a relationship with elderly people to
support them and become more independent.”

Robots, TVs, and automobiles could seize the highlight at CES, however essentially the most highly effective know-how isn’t
flashy, it’s considerate and designed to assist folks stay higher lives. That’s a future we will all get
behind.