Apple Announces ‘Door Detection’: Locating Doors for the Visually Impaired

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Sina Digital News on the morning of May 17th, Apple today demonstrated innovative software features that will provide users with disabilities new ways to navigate and communicate, helping them get the most out of Apple products. These powerful updates bring together the company’s latest technologies to give users unique tools that can be personalised, and continue to deliver on Apple’s long-standing commitment to making products that everyone can use smoothly.

Apple is about to introduce Door Detection, an advanced navigation feature designed for people who are blind or have low vision. It helps users locate gates when they are about to reach a new destination, tell them how far they are from the gate, and describe the characteristics of the gate, including whether it is open or closed. If the door is closed, it can also tell the user whether the door can be opened by pushing, pulling or turning the handle.

Door detection can also read signs and signs on and around doors, such as room numbers in offices, or accessible entry signs. The new feature, which combines lidar scanners, cameras, and on-device machine learning capabilities, will be available on iPhone and iPad models equipped with lidar scanners.

The Gate Detection feature will be a new detection mode in the Amplifier App. Magnifier is Apple’s built-in app for blind and low-vision users. Door detection and person detection and image description functions can be used separately or simultaneously in detection mode, providing visually impaired users with customizable tools to help them navigate and gain rich information about their surroundings.

In addition to the navigation tools within the Magnifier app, the Apple Maps app also provides voice and tactile feedback to users using VoiceOver to identify the starting point for walking navigation.

“Apple embodies accessibility in everything we do. We are committed to designing the best products and services for everyone,” said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of global accessibility policy and action. “We are excited to introduce these new features. , they bring together the innovative spirit and creative inspiration of multiple teams at Apple, giving users more options to use our products in the way that best suits their needs and lives.”

In addition to “door detection”, the Apple Watch Mirroring function can help users use the paired iPhone to remotely control the Apple Watch, making it easier for people with physical or motor disabilities to use the Apple Watch.

With Apple Watch Mirroring, users can use the iPhone’s auxiliary functions such as voice control and switching control to control the Apple Watch, and use input methods such as voice commands, voice commands, head tracking, or the Made for iPhone external auxiliary switching device as a tap Apple Alternative operation of the Watch display.

Apple Watch Mirroring uses hardware and software features, including AirPlay-based technology, to help users who rely on these features smoothly use Apple Watch-specific apps, such as blood oxygen, heart rate, mindfulness, and more.

With new Quick Actions on Apple Watch, users can answer or end calls, ignore notifications, take photos, play or pause media in the Now Playing app, and start, pause or resume workouts with a “double-pinch” gesture.

Based on innovative technology used in Assistive Touch on Apple Watch, this feature allows users with limited upper limbs to control their Apple Watch in different ways, such as pinching or making a fist, without having to tap the display.

Apple introduces Live Captioning for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Users can more easily understand any audio content—including a phone or FaceTime call, a video conference or social media app, streaming content, or a face-to-face conversation with a person.

Users can adjust the font size of subtitles for easier reading. Live Captioning for FaceTime calls provides automatically transcribed conversation captions for call participants, making it easier for people with hearing impairments to participate in group video calls.

While on a Mac call, users can enter a response and have Live Caption read the response in real time to other call participants. Live captions are generated on-device, so users can keep their information private and secure.

VoiceOver is Apple’s industry-leading screen reading tool designed for blind and low-vision users. VoiceOver will be added in more than 20 languages ​​and regions, including Bengali, Bulgarian, Catalan, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, and more; and dozens of new optional voices for Implement auxiliary functions. The new languages, regions, and voices will also apply to accessibility features such as Speak Selections and Speak Screens.

Additionally, users of VoiceOver on Mac can take advantage of the new Text Checker to spot common formatting errors such as multiple spaces or capitalization errors, making it easier to proofread documents or emails.

Other functions

Buddy Controller allows users to ask caregivers or friends to help them play games; Buddy Controller can combine any two game controllers into one, allowing multiple controllers to input the same player’s actions.

Siri Pause Time can help users with language impairments to adjust the waiting time for Siri to reply to the command.

The voice-controlled Spelling Mode provides the user with the option of letter-by-letter input to dictate specially spelled words5.

Sound recognition can be customized to recognize specific sounds in the user’s environment, such as a home alarm clock, doorbell, or unique sounds from home appliances.

This week, Apple is also marking Global Accessibility Awareness Day with special classes, curated anthologies, and more:

• Launching in Canada on May 19, the SignTime service helps Apple Store and Apple Support customers connect with American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters. SignTime is available in the US for customers using ASL, in the UK for customers using British Sign Language (BSL), and in France for customers using French Sign Language (LSF).
• Apple Retail Stores around the world will offer live classes throughout the week to help customers learn about iPhone accessibility, and Apple Support social media channels will also feature tutorials.
• Accessibility Assistant shortcuts are coming to the Mac and Apple Watch Shortcuts app this week, recommending accessibility features based on user preferences.
• Apple Maps adds “Park Access for All,” a new guide from the National Park Foundation to help users discover accessibility features, programs and services and explore national parks across the United States. The world’s premier institution of higher education for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind students – Gallaudet University provides a guide that will help connect users to businesses and organizations that value, embrace and prioritize the deaf and sign language.
• Users can discover inspiring stories of accessibility apps and app creators on the App Store; learn about innovative ways technology is driving accessible lives on Apple Podcasts.
• Apple Music will feature Saylists playlists, each of which will emphasize a different voice. Choosing a playlist and singing along is a fun way to practice pronunciation or speech therapy.

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