Automated Accessibility for Streamlined Living

Smart glasses could create real life subtitles for accessible interactions, while helmets for firefighters or policemen with sensing technology could make high-risk jobs safer. IDTechEx's Research Report Portfolio on Emerging Technologies provides the latest research on advancing accessibility technologies and integrated communication across devices, in both personal and work environments.

 

 

 

A subtitled world may one day be possible with AR-powered glasses, so being hard of hearing may not have to mean missing out on engaging with everyday life. Glasses with aural processing capabilities could provide real time transcripts of any conversation on the lenses.

 

Glasses fitted with a small camera and speaker could also provide narration for visually impaired users by utilizing information from the environment assist in painting a mental picture of personal surroundings. IDTechEx's report, "Displays for Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality 2024-2034: Forecasts, Technologies, Markets" covers the developments taking place to enhance accessibility in everyday life.

 

 

Running a marathon or doing the daily 5k while wearing a smartwatch could help athletes perform more optimally by measuring biometrics, neural signals and temperature. It may be imaginable for people to access this data right in front of their eyes while on the move through the lenses of smart sunglasses integrated with software paired to the watch. Runners could be told what's going on inside their bodies in real time, harnessing the efficiency and continuity that accessible wearable technology allows.

 

Smartwatches that can analyze movements and vitals can also help to detect heart abnormalities by measuring heart rate, and measure blood oxygen using pulse oximetry. These biometrics don't just have to be obtained during a workout but can also be measured when while simply lying on the couch. A clearer picture can be painted of overall health to help people better understand their bodies in everyday life, regardless of activity level.

 

Police officers and firemen could have smart workwear equipped with sensors to monitor their stress levels during a hectic workday. Smart helmets in particular have also been designed to measure core-body temperature and heart rate to ensure that the health and safety of workers is not compromised on a tough mission.

 

 

Non-invasive sleep and fertility tracking through the use of smart rings is another way for people to record and access their health data from home as frequently as they like. The potential of such a small and comfortable wearable device to subtly take biometric data is the perfect demonstration of how healthcare accessibility is levelling up. IDTechEx's report "Wearable Sensors Market 2025-2035: Technologies, Trends, Players, Forecasts" covers the types of wearable sensors and their forecasted uptake over the next decade.

 

Electrochemical test strips and skin patches that use needles to reach the interstitial fluid and take blood sugar readings have long been used for diabetes management. The accessibility that remote patient monitoring can provide in this way is unmatched, as people are able to manage their condition without the constant intervention of healthcare professionals. IDTechEx covers these technologies in their "Diabetes Management Technologies 2025-2035: Markets, Players, and Forecasts" report.

 

 

Cooking dinner for the children after school while a mountain of washing is left to be done may not have to feel so overwhelming with the help of robots. Spending quality time as a family would no longer need to feel so farfetched, with mundane tasks being completed by a live-in robot helper that won't get tired or need to rest. IDTechEx's portfolio of Robotics & Autonomy Research Reports and Subscriptions covers the entire sector and includes research on collaborative robots to service robots that could help to relieve the burden of daily tasks and make evenings feel lighter.

 

 

Self-driving cars could provide new kinds of ease and accessibility for passengers, with Level 3 autonomy no longer requiring a human driver to keep their eyes on the road at all times. Applying the final touches of makeup or hair gel on the way to work as the car drives could mean more time to enjoy relaxed mornings at home, as automotive sensors and onboard compute do all the work.

 

For the elderly, or those with visual impairments, robotaxis could provide access to services which otherwise would require calling upon a friend or family member to help out. Having access to autonomous vehicles that require no human control could allow for increased independence for those who would not be able to drive themselves.

 

Continuous robotaxi and autonomous shuttle bus routes between airports and cities could provide ease and accessibility for travellers who don't want the hassle of parking and paying for their own vehicles. Less disruptions from traffic on busy streets could also be achieved with a streamlined service to and from popular destinations. Without the need for a driver, break periods will also not be necessary, meaning access to constant and uninterrupted transportation could be achieved, with reduced wait times. IDTechEx's report, "Autonomous Vehicles Market 2025-2045: Robotaxis, Autonomous Cars, Sensors" explores the possibilities for automating transportation.

 

For more information on the technologies enabling a future of enhanced accessibility, visit IDTechEx: Independent Market Intelligence on Emerging Technologies to find the latest research reports and forecasts.