// assistive technology

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Open-source sip-and-puff interface expands accessibility for computer users

LIPS offers a low-cost alternative to proprietary assistive tech by allowing users with limited mobility to control computers through breath patterns. Commercial eye-trackers and similar devices often cost thousands. The open-source release decouples accessibility tool development from vendor gatekeeping, enabling adaptation across different devices and use cases without licensing friction. Accessibility infrastructure shouldn't depend on commercial viability. Treating it as community infrastructure shifts who gets to build and customize the tools people rely on daily.

Google's Guide Agent Lets Blind Athletes Run Without Human Assistance

Google has released an AI agent that combines real-time audio navigation with obstacle detection for blind and low-vision runners, removing the need for human guides or tethered running partners. The shift is from assistive tools that augment human help to systems designed for genuine independence in physical activity. Autonomous running was previously impossible for BLV athletes; now it's a deployed product.