Google created an experimental Android app to help people with speech and motor impairments communicate easier.
According to The Verge, this new application is designed in support of other more sophisticated assistive technologies on a mobile device. Google's highly specialist speech and language therapist Richard Cave who works with people who have motor and speech impairments and those who need assistance communicating revealed about the app through a blog post.
Google's Look to Speak App helps people with speech and motor impairments
Google's experimental app Look to Speak is among the many projects under the "Start with One, Invent for Many" program. These projects include a web tool Teachable Machine, which allows users to create machine learning models without coding as well as the infinite music video Infinite Bad Guy app that features Billie Eilish song.
These projects started with one person who tries to create something for a larger community. Cave says Look to Speak has reached out to those people who could find the app valuable.
He also found that the app was particularly helpful in environments where users may not be able to use other accessibility devices like while in the shower, in transit, outdoors or during urgent situations. "Now, conversations can more easily happen where before there might have been silence, and I'm excited to hear some of them," Cave noted.
He added on the blog post that developing the app is more than just a job, but a passion. "Every day, I strive to help people find easier and more accessible ways to express their everyday needs, opinions, feelings and identity," Cave wrote in the post.
Google's Look to Speak App - How it works?
The Look to Speak app can be downloaded from the Play Store for free. It is compatible with at least Android 9.0, including Android One.
People in general may use it, not only those who have speech and motor impairments. They just need to download the app and install it on their phone. Then, slightly position the phone below eye level, then a user looks left or right to pick something from the phrases list.
Users just need to simply have to look right, left, or up to pick what they want to say from a list of phrases. They may also personalize the phrases and words as well as share their authentic voice to others. Aside from selecting phrases and have them spoken, the app may also be used to snooze the screen and edit the phrasebook.
Moreover, they may adjust the eye gaze sensitivity settings, However, the app's setup helper menu where the phrases can be manually edited and fix the gaze settings are not accessible by eye gaze, instead requires manual tapping on the screen of the phone.
Meanwhile, on December 3, Google also rolled out an update to Voice Access, which is currently available in Beta. It is an Android app that allows users to control their phone using their voice. Such ability to use the phone hands-free is useful to people with disabilities as well as those without.
Launched in 2018, this updated Voice Access version is now available worldwide on devices that run on Android 6.0 and above.
