Post by bobparadiso on Aug 20, 2018 7:03:39 GMT -8
Hello,
My company (Access Redefined) will switch-adapt, voice-activate, and eye-gaze enable hospital beds, toys/games, power wheelchairs, entertainment systems, doors and windows, etc. Our core expertise is customizing electronics in whatever way necessary to be more usable for a given individual. Most of our work is custom and we work closely with the individual in their home to fine-tune everything for the best end result. We can setup anything that already works well for them (Amazon Echo, computer, eye-gaze, switches) to be a controller for any other electronics in their home.
For example here are some voice activated hospital beds we've produced:
We integrate into any existing motorized bed. The way we interface with the bed varies based on model but in general falls into one of the following buckets:
*we purchase a second bed controller for their bed and wire our device into that
*we plug our device directly into the bed using the same port that their existing bed controller uses
*if the controller is wireless instead of wired, we record the transmitted signals and then play them back at the appropriate times
In all cases, the individual keeps their original controller as a fallback in case of any issue. Also in all cases we have physical buttons in place, usually from the adapted controller, so that anyone can still control the bed directly without voice/eye-gaze when useful.
For wired solutions we are either replicating the signals that the original controller was sending to the bed (or in some cases completing the same circuits as the original controller), or we are simulating button presses with solid state relays across the original button contacts.
The most important thing I want people to know if they don't already is that the tech is out there, it works, people are currently using it, and there are several individuals and companies that can set you up with it. If you search YouTube or Google for "amazon echo controlled bed", "voice activated bed", or "alexa controlled bed" you'll find some more video examples and information.
Specifically about the beds, the second thing to know about are the limitations. Anything that is voice controlled can mishear you or hear something like the TV and respond mistakenly. Further if it's based off a WiFi device like Amazon Echo then it won't work while your internet is out, or while Amazon is sending out a firmware update. That said, if your situation can tolerate an occasional incorrect bed movement, but would benefit from being able to more independently or easily control your bed, then it can really be worth it. Alternately eye-gaze or other mechanisms can be easily leveraged to control the bed.
Please do reach out if you have any interest or questions. We're very happy to help and even just to get more information out there.
Thank you,
-Bob
