‘Alexa, I’m losing my sight’: Amazon’s smart assistant is trained to help blind and partially-sighted people as more than half claim to struggle with the internet
- The RNIB has worked with Amazon to provide audio information on sight loss
- The details are provided by the RNIB from its Sight Loss Advice Service website
- A survey by the charity found that 54 per cent have issues with the internet
Amazon’s smart assistant, Alexa, has been trained to help blind and partially-sighted people as more than half claim to struggle with the internet.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People has worked with the technology company to provide information on vision problems that is accessible by voice.
People will be able to access the curated information from the RNIB’s Sight Loss Advice Service by using voice commands like ‘I’m losing my sight’.
Research commissioned by the charity found that 54 per cent of blind and partially sighted people see their vision as a barrier to using the internet.
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Dolly McLoughlin, 71, started losing her sight in her 40s. She says she has to get others to help her search for information on the internet
The RNIB survey also found that 61 per cent of people with vision problems were unable to ‘make the most of new technology’, citing accessibility issues.
Dolly McLoughlin, 71, started losing her sight in her 40s. She says she has to get others to help her search for information on the internet.
‘I can use emails and documents, but I find navigating the internet with a screen reader very difficult indeed,’ she said.
‘Websites are all designed differently, which makes it hard to find what I am looking for. I’m no good at looking up specific information or ordering things.’
Users will be able ask Alexa about the kind of assistive technology blind people use and advice on what to do if they think they are losing their sight.
Voice assistant technology is playing a growing role in helping blind and partially sighted people, according to Dave Clarke from the RNIB.
He says people he works with say the voice assistants like Alexa allow them to stay up to date with news and information and is easier to use than screen based tech.
‘Voice assistants can enable independence, helping to break down accessibility barriers to a more inclusive society,’ he said.
Users can ask for information on what to do if they think they are losing their sight as well as information on assistive technology
The charity said they wanted to make sure people could immediately get essential information about sight conditions, their rights, and the support available without having to use a screen reader.
Dennis Stansbury, Alexa UK country manager, said he was delighted people could now access information from the RNIB using just their voice.
‘We love hearing feedback from customers about how they use Alexa throughout their day – whether that’s listening to music, setting alarms and timers, or making an announcement at home that dinner is ready.’
WHY ARE PEOPLE CONCERNED OVER PRIVACY WITH AMAZON’S ALEXA DEVICES?
Amazon devices have previously been activated when they’re not wanted – meaning the devices could be listening.
Millions are reluctant to invite the devices and their powerful microphones into their homes out of concern that their conversations are being heard.
Amazon devices rely on microphones listening out for a key word, which can be triggered by accident and without their owner’s realisation.
The camera on the £119.99 ($129) Echo Spot, which doubles up as a ‘smart alarm’, will also probably be facing directly at the user’s bed.
The device has such sophisticated microphones it can hear people talking from across the room – even if music is playing. A hack by British security researcher Mark Barnes saw 2015 and 2016 versions of the Echo turned into a live microphone.
Fraudsters could then use this live audio feed to collect sensitive information from the device.
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