How tecla-e Enhances Amazon Alexa for Quadriplegic Users
Amazon Alexa is an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered voice assistant that works by understanding your voice commands to allow you to search the Web, create to-do lists, shop online, check the weather, and control smart-home products — without ever unlocking your phone.
tecla-e is for anyone who cannot easily use a smart device such as smartphones, tablets, computers or have difficulty using home appliances. This includes those with quadriplegia and other mobility impairments resulting from spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, ALS, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, brain injuries or stroke. The device can connect with up to eight bluetooth-enabled devices so users can easily switch from controlling their iPhone to controlling their thermostat, hands-free.
Many users with physical disabilities are using Alexa through their Amazon Echo or Dot devices from their beds. Tecla extends this functionality to wherever they have access to their phone or tablet with the tecla-e companion app by linking their Alexa account to the app.
1. tecla-e users can access Alexa anywhere they go through a fully switch-accessible app
If your Amazon Echo is not within earshot and is inaccessible, you can still ask Alexa a command using tecla-e. For example, if you are a quadriplegic and are upstairs in bed, but forgot to turn the lights off downstairs, simply turn on Switch Control on your iPhone or Switch Access on Android, go to the tecla-e companion app, and ask Alexa to turn off your smart lights. The tecla-e companion app is fully accessible using assistive switches saving you the frustration of smart home apps that do not follow universal design principles.
2. tecla-e users can have a choice between controlling their smart devices through switch access or through voice activation
You can use your voice whenever you’re within earshot, but if you don’t want to disturb someone nearby or just prefer silence, you can easily use assistive switches like sip-and-puff, buddy buttons, scatir switches, micro light switches, chin switches or joysticks or the built-in button on tecla-e to control your smart home devices instead.
Amazon Alexa has some amazing features, but if you environment restricts you from speaking out voice commands, being able to say a command through the tecla-e companion app is pretty amazing. It’s also a better alternative than waiting until your housemate hangs up on an important phone call to ask Alexa a question.
3. tecla-e users can link their Amazon account to the app and load customized preferences and commands to be switch-accessible.
After you’ve setup your preferences for Alexa on the Amazon website or its companion app, you can load them onto the tecla-e app by syncing both accounts. This way, you will have access to all of your smart devices and each of their commands all on one app! Now, instead of having to open and close different apps that control specific smart devices, you can control every device from one location.
Amazon Alexa and other voice-assistant smart home systems are creating new opportunities for quadriplegics to control their environment. With tecla-e, the amazing features of voice assistants are enhanced, tailored to your needs and accessible to all. tecla-e is now available for pre-order in the U.S. and Canada.
To learn more about tecla-e and read other blogs like this one, visit gettecla.com.
