Google launches first UK facility dedicated to creating assistive technology for the disabled

Google has opened a new research and development centre solely for the purpose of making tech for people with disabilities.

Named the Accessibility Discovery Centre, it is “a space where our engineers, researchers, product teams and partners can build new kinds of accessible technologies to remove more of the barriers that people with disabilities face every day.”

This, the Tech Giant did, in collaboration with the Royal National Institute of Blind People, the Royal National Institute for Deaf People and Everyone Can, and its internal Disability Alliance employee resource group.

It is the company’s first accessibility-focused site outside the US, and according to Google, it “builds on our years of investment and innovation in helpful technology,” such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), blockchain, drones, Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, 3D printing and virtual reality (VR). 

Helpful tech, or Assistive technology (AT) is available to help individuals with many types of disabilities — from cognitive problems to physical impairment.

AT can address many types of learning difficulties. A student who has difficulty writing can compose a school report by dictating it and having it converted to text by special software.

Google estimates that roughly 250 million people globally  have needs that has to do with non-standard speech and “may have trouble being understood.”

The Tech Giant is starting off with “Project Relate”, a pilot app as part of its helpful tech endeavour, which will help people who have conditions that makes their speech difficult to interpret.

Project Relate enables anyone with non-standard speech to teach the app to understand their unique speech patterns, and easily communicate using three features:

1. Listen, which transcribes their speech into text;
2. Repeat, which repeats what is said in a clear voice; and
3. Assistant, which connects with Google Assistant to help people get things done.

The Google app has launched in beta in the UK, and the Tech Giant disclosed the app has helped early testers to better understand and build more meaningful connections.

“One user, Debra, shared how she went from having less than 10% of what she says being understood by people she’s just met, to having more than 90% of her speech understood. “Relate has changed my life,” Debra said.”

If you’re an academic, community or charitable/non-profit organisation and wish to visit the Accessibility Discovery Centre, email adclondon@google.com.