Google Home image

Launching today, the new RealSAM Smart Speaker solution is a dedicated hub for blind and visually impaired people, offering subscribers access to thousands of books, newspapers, podcasts, radio stations and information from a range of UK sight loss charities.

The RealSAM Smart Speaker is a fully voice-controlled media player tool that, once subscribed to, is available to use on an existing Google Home or Alexa product.

Utilising the latest in AI technology, the RealSAM Smart Speaker is designed to improve the independence of those with vision impairments and sight loss. Hosting content from UK sight loss charities such as Henshaws, Galloways and Torch Trust, the platform is the world’s first smart speaker information hub for people with sight loss.

Users can search for information by category, title or keyword, then further search for articles, chapters, or specific episodes of their favourite podcast.

In addition, RealSAM AI technology has the ability to be multi-command controlled. This allows a user to ask a series of building questions, which is particularly useful for anyone needing to operate technology fully by voice.

To access the Real SAM Smart Speaker content, users sign up to the subscription service to access either an Action that that is added to their Google Home or a Skill that is added to their Amazon Alexa.

Louise Humphreys, UK Country Manager at RealSAM, said: “We are committed to working with those with sight loss to build solutions that make a real difference to their day-to-day lives. The development of our new smart speaker solution was a direct result of customers telling us of their frustrations of needing multiple devices or applications to meet their needs.

“Utilising our clever technology and working with our charity partners we are now the world’s first news entertainment and advice platform for anyone with sight loss seeking accessible audio content on smart speakers.”

In addition to helping people with visual impairments, the team at RealSAM is encouraging UK disability charities to get in touch to discuss how their content could also be made available to a wider audience and placed within the home speaker skill or action.

Charities who are publishing, podcasts, web-based newsletters (then text to speech), upcoming events or general information and advice are encouraged to get in touch to discuss how their content can be added to the RealSAM Speaker subscription to reach the visually impaired community.

Louise added: “We recognise that sight loss charities have limited resources and have had to adapt how they deliver support in 2020 and beyond, increasingly using digital means. Charities who are eager to access their supporters and beneficiaries through audio content can partner with us.”

Charities looking to find out more about the content partner programme can visit the website for more information

AT TODAY UPDATES
Over 7,000 healthcare professionals stay informed about the latest assistive technology with AT Today. Do you?
We respect your privacy