Amazon has been continually improving the ways Alexa can support accessibility for those around their home. As Alexa is further integrated across the smart home, with many improved devices, Amazon aims to leverage its technology to assist those with low vision, hearing impairments, and with mobility needs.
Recently, iPhone in Canada met with Celine Lee, Country Manager for Alexa Canada. During the second annual Alexa & Accessibility event in Toronto, Amazon’s accessibility team helped highlight some lesser-known accessibility features users can take advantage of around their homes.
Even as someone who has several Echo devices, including the Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 15, I was unaware of many of the features available that are available to assist with accessibility. For instance, those with cognitive needs can slow down Alexa’s responses. By asking Alexa to ‘Slow your voice down’, the assistant will respond more slowly. To my surprise, it sounded great and not as abrasive as if you were to slow down a piece of audio. It sounded natural, maintaining inflections in Alexa’s voice.
There’s a huge opportunity around personalization, the ability to provide what you need to your specific situation,” Lee says. “Adapting to your speech or the way you interact with the device. I think it’s something that can have a really powerful impact, specifically around accessibility.”
During the event, the Alexa team showcased many features that can be adopted around the home. For instance, those with mobility needs can set up daily routines through Alexa. This includes anything from setting an alarm to turning lights on or off at set times. If used in conjunction with Amazon Smart Plugs, users can even instruct Alexa to make a coffee a 9 AM each day. Those with low vision can opt to have Alexa render an audible tone to signal a request has been properly made. Select Echo devices can also use its camera to tell the user what their holding in their hands.
Amazon is leveraging AI across its various vectors and businesses and Alexa isn’t any different. However, generative AI has yet to be fully tapped. In the future, Alexa may be able to strengthen the ways it is able to personalize its support.
“I think one of the things that made the Alexa accessible is really the power of that voice interface,” Lee says. That’s so natural. And I think the same thing is true for generative AI. It will allow us in many different contexts to have such a natural interaction with technology and I’m sure there will be several ways in which that will translate into more powerful accessibility features.
Amazon and its Alexa team work closely with several organizations, including the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and Connected Canadians. However, while continuously learning and adapting, the Alexa team is in turn mentoring businesses––including supporting senior living communities. “We’ve also helped with just training so that folks in the senior living facilities know how to teach and help seniors adopt this technology. That type of mentorship program is something that we’re really excited about.”
Amazon is building more accessibility features across Alexa with many popping up on the ‘Meet Alexa’ page on Amazon’s website. Here, users can discover new features and ways Alexa can impact their day.
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