Mitsubishi Electric has developed an elevator [JP] that can not only be fully voice-controlled but also automatically detects people sitting in wheelchairs.
In other words, the new system, dubbed “Touchless Call”, allows users of wheelchairs or the visually impaired to use elevators without having to push buttons.
Mitsubishi says that after sensors detect a wheelchair users approaching the elevator, all that he or she needs to do is to wait for the elevator to arrive, enter it and speak out to which floor they want to go.
Mitsubishi plans to offer Touchless Call to hospitals and nursing homes within this year (upgrading existing elevators is possible, too).
Friday, March 11, 2011
Mitsubishi elevator detects wheelchair users, who can then use voice-activated controls
From Crunch Gear: