Introduction:
In recent years, accessibility tech has gained attention and investment, with disability tech companies attracting around $4 billion in early-stage investments in 2022. However, these startups have traditionally faced challenges in attracting venture capital due to their niche focus on a minority group. To overcome this, some European startups are leveraging AI and expanding their target audience beyond people with disabilities. This article will explore four European startups that are using AI to improve accessibility and reach a wider market.
Visualfy: Leveraging AI for Safety and Autonomy
Visualfy, a Spanish startup, is using AI to improve the lives of people with hearing loss. The company focuses on safety and autonomy, offering an app and hardware suite that includes sound recognition AI. This AI can identify fire alarms and the sound of a baby crying at home, enhancing the safety of individuals with hearing loss. CEO Manel Alcaide emphasizes the importance of AI for their business and how it aligns with their mission statement. Visualfy has also entered the public sector with Visualfy Places, gaining traction by providing accessibility solutions in public venues. By incorporating deaf individuals in their team and design process, Visualfy ensures better design and a moral stance of “nothing for us without us.”
Knisper: Making Speech Intelligible for Everyone
Audus Technologies, a Dutch B2B startup, developed Knisper to address the needs of the growing population with hearing loss. By 2050, it is projected that 2.5 billion people will have some degree of hearing loss. Knisper uses AI to make speech more intelligible in various environments, such as cinemas, museums, public transportation, and work calls. Unlike traditional hearing aids, Knisper splits the audio and mixes it back into a clearer track without increasing background volume noise. This makes it comfortable for anyone to listen to, even without hearing loss. The use of AI allows Knisper to achieve superior results in speech clarity, marking a significant advancement in accessibility technology.
Whispp: Transforming Whispered Speech into Natural Voice
Whispp, another Dutch startup, focuses on converting whispered speech into a natural voice in real-time. Its target audience consists of individuals with voice disabilities who still have good articulation. This includes people with voice disorders, such as those who can only whisper or use their esophageal voice, and individuals with reduced articulation due to ALS, MS, Parkinson’s, or strokes. Whispp utilizes audio-to-audio AI to provide these individuals with a voice that sounds real and natural, even resembling their own voice if a sample is provided. The absence of text in the middle makes Whispp more secure than alternatives, opening up possibilities for confidential conversations.
Acapela: Voice Banking for Future Use
Acapela Group, acquired by Swedish tech accessibility company Tobii Dynavox, has been in the text-to-speech space for decades. With the advent of AI, Acapela aims to facilitate voice banking, allowing individuals to store their voice for future use. Voice banking is particularly relevant for individuals who know they are at risk of losing their voice due to certain conditions. The improved quality and speed of AI-generated voices make voice banking more accessible. Acapela offers an initial phase of recording 50 sentences for free, with users only needing to purchase the voices if they choose to install them on their devices.
Expanding Beyond Disabilities: A Broader Market and True Accessibility
These startups exemplify how leveraging AI can help accessibility-focused companies expand beyond their core target audience. By addressing the needs of a larger market, these startups increase their revenue potential while staying true to the definition of accessibility as “the quality of being able to be entered or used by everyone, including people who have a disability.” The incorporation of AI in these solutions not only enhances accessibility but also improves safety, speech clarity, and voice preservation for a wider range of users.
Conclusion:
The field of accessibility tech is undergoing a transformation as startups embrace AI to improve the lives of people with disabilities. By leveraging AI, these startups can expand their reach and serve a broader market while staying true to their mission of accessibility. Visualfy, Knisper, Whispp, and Acapela are just a few examples of European startups that are using AI to enhance safety, speech intelligibility, and voice preservation. As technology continues to advance, the possibilities for accessibility tech are expanding, making life better for people with disabilities and creating a more inclusive society.