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According to data from the National Association of Urban Transport Companies (NTU), the bus is the main means of transportation for 85.7% of Brazilians. Furthermore, Brazil has 18.6 million people with disabilities, according to research released by IBGE and MDHC. Given these numbers, cities are increasingly investing in technologies aimed at accessibility and inclusion. In this article, we will discuss the importance of accessibility in cars and how automotive technologies are transforming the driving experience.
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Main points covered:
- Accessibility in cars: a transformation in driving experience
- Trends technologies aimed at accessibility and inclusion
- The concept of assistive technology and its importance
- Assistive technologies for automotive accessibility
- Innovations that are revolutionizing automotive accessibility
Technology Trends Aimed at Accessibility and Inclusion
The advancement of technologies aimed at accessibility and inclusion It has revolutionized the way we move around cities. Emanuele Cassimiro, CPO at Cittamobi, a reference company in the urban mobility and public transport segment, highlights five trends that are transforming user experience.
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GPS in public transport to track your route in real time
The use of GPS in public transport allows passengers to follow their route and know exactly where they are in real time. This brings greater safety and comfort to users, especially those who have difficulties with spatial orientation.
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Voice reading systems and cell phone screen lighting settings
Voice reading and cell phone screen lighting settings are features that make the use of mobile devices more accessible for people with visual impairments. This way, it is possible to access information and carry out tasks independently, which contributes to digital inclusion.
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Integrated ticket payment systems
You integrated ticket payment systems They aim to facilitate the process of purchasing and validating transport tickets. This makes it possible to avoid long queues and unnecessary journeys, providing greater agility and convenience for users.
These technologies are being implemented in different cities around Brazil, aiming to provide the best possible experience for public transport users. In addition to benefiting local residents, these solutions are also advantageous for tourists visiting cities, making mobility more accessible and inclusive for everyone.
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These trends represent just the beginning of a journey towards more inclusive and accessible urban mobility. Technology has the power to break down barriers and provide innovative solutions that can transform the lives of people with disabilities. As technology advances, new possibilities emerge, offering more autonomy and better living conditions for everyone.
Assistive Technology
A assistive technology is an area of knowledge that aims to promote the functionality, related to activity and participation, of people with disabilities, disabilities or reduced mobility. It encompasses products, resources, methodologies, strategies, practices and services that help expand deficient functional skills or enable the performance of functions that are impeded by the disability.
According to the Technical Aid Committee, the assistive technologies are divided into 12 classes:
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| Assistance for Daily Living | Products and services that help in carrying out everyday tasks, such as dressing, eating, personal hygiene, among others. |
| Augmentative Communication | Resources that support or replace oral and written communication. |
| Computer Accessibility Features | Technologies that make using computers accessible, such as screen readers and adapted keyboards. |
| Rehabilitation and Adaptation to the Environment | Equipment and adaptations to make physical environments accessible, such as ramps, handrails, elevators, among others. |
| Orthoses, Prostheses and Mobility Aids | Devices that aid mobility, such as wheelchairs, prosthetics and orthoses. |
| Transportation Accessibility Resources | Technologies that make transportation accessible, such as bus elevators, audio devices for announcements, among others. |
| Upper limb orthoses and prostheses | Devices that assist in the function and mobility of the upper limbs, such as arm and hand prostheses. |
| Lower Limb Orthoses and Prostheses | Devices that assist with the function and mobility of the lower limbs, such as leg and foot orthoses. |
| Assistive Technology for Education | Resources and strategies that facilitate access to education, such as alternative communication software and adapters for accessing printed materials. |
| Visual Accessibility Resources | Technologies that help people with visual impairments, such as electronic magnifying glasses, screen readers and text magnifiers. |
| Hearing Accessibility Resources | Technologies that help people with hearing impairment, such as hearing aids, cochlear implants and sound amplifier systems. |
| Universal Design Accessibility Resources | Products and adaptations that have accessibility characteristics for all people, regardless of whether they have disabilities or not. |
Assistive Technologies for Automotive Accessibility
Miscellaneous assistive technologies were developed to promote automotive accessibility. One of them is the use of screen readers, which transcribe the textual content present on the screen of the electronic device into spoken language, helping people with low vision or blindness.
Another technology is the application Hand Talk, which translates text and voice into Libras, making information accessible to people with hearing impairments.
Furthermore, the robotic legs are becoming increasingly common, allowing people without legs or with mobility difficulties to move around more easily.
| Assistive Technology | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Screen Readers | They transcribe textual content into spoken language, helping people with low vision or blindness. |
| Hand Talk | Translates text and voice into Libras, providing accessibility for people with hearing impairments. |
| Robotic legs | They allow people without legs or with mobility difficulties to move around more easily. |
Innovations in Automotive Accessibility
The market for automotive accessibility has witnessed several technological innovations. Stand out for the smart cane WeWalk, which has GPS and alerts you to obstacles above chest level, and for the MouthPad, device that allows you to control the mouse on a computer or cell phone using just your tongue. Another innovation is the NuEyes, augmented reality glasses for people with low vision, which capture and magnify images of the environment. These and other technologies are providing greater autonomy and inclusion for people with disabilities in driving experience.
Summary of Innovations in Automotive Accessibility
| Innovation | Description |
|---|---|
| WeWalk | Smart walking stick with GPS and warning of obstacles above the chest. |
| MouthPad | Mouse control device using just the tongue. |
| NuEyes | Augmented reality glasses that capture and magnify images for people with low vision. |
Conclusion
Accessibility in cars through assistive technologies is revolutionizing the driving experience and boosting the inclusion of people with disabilities. The trends of technologies aimed at accessibility and inclusion, to the innovations in automotive accessibility and the diversity of assistive technologies available are proof of progress in this field.
It is essential to continue investing and developing technological solutions that prioritize accessibility, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the mobility and independence provided by cars. Through these technologies, it is possible to offer a safer, more comfortable and inclusive driving experience for all drivers, regardless of their physical or sensory abilities.
A technological inclusion It is essential to promote a more egalitarian society, where everyone can have access to the benefits of automotive mobility. By adopting accessibility solutions in cars, we are promoting social inclusion and providing the opportunity for people with disabilities to enjoy the independence and freedom that driving a vehicle provides.
FAQ
How is accessibility in cars being promoted through assistive technologies?
Accessibility in cars is being promoted through assistive technologies that help people with disabilities drive more autonomously. For example, the use of screen readers that transcribe the textual content present on the electronic device screen into spoken language, benefiting people with low vision or blindness. Additionally, applications like Hand Talk They translate text and voice into Libras, making information accessible to people with hearing impairments. To the robotic legs They are also an assistive technology that has helped people without legs or with mobility difficulties to get around more easily.
What are the innovations in automotive accessibility?
The automotive accessibility market has witnessed several technological innovations. Stand out smart cane WeWalk, which has GPS and alerts you to obstacles above chest level, and the MouthPad, a device that allows you to control the mouse on a computer or cell phone with just your tongue. Another innovation is the NuEyes, augmented reality glasses for people with low vision, which capture and magnify images of the environment. These technologies are providing greater autonomy and inclusion for people with disabilities in the driving experience.
What are the technology trends aimed at accessibility and inclusion in cities?
Technology trends aimed at accessibility and inclusion in cities include the use of GPS in public transport to monitor the route in real time, the use of voice reading systems and settings for the cell phone screen lighting. Furthermore, cities are investing in integrated ticket payment systems to avoid long queues and travel. These technologies aim to provide the best user experience, benefiting both residents and tourists.
Q: What is assistive technology?
Assistive technology is an area of knowledge that aims to promote the functionality, related to activity and participation, of people with disabilities, disabilities or reduced mobility. It encompasses products, resources, methodologies, strategies, practices and services that help to expand deficient functional skills or enable the performance of functions that are impeded by the disability. There are several classes of assistive technologies, such as aids for daily living, computer accessibility features and orthoses and prosthetics, among others.
