VOICE Actuated Control Systems (VACS) for Accessible and Assistive Smart Homes. A Preliminary Investigation on Accessibility and User Experience with Disabled Users

Recently, mobile and in-home Voice Actuated Control Systems (VACs) have become affordable and reliable, allowing the control of several IoT devices from a distance. Individuals with motor impairments could benefit from VACS installed in smart domestic environments to operate home appliances and other devices. The present paper explores the potentials of using such systems in terms of accessibility and user experience by involving a group of individuals with motor disabilities and mild speech impairments. Participants were invited to directly try out the voice-controlled assistant by operating different smart devices (e.g., lights, fan) in a friendly living-room like environment. Results show that all participants were able to perform the proposed tasks after a brief practice section and few failures, and that the interaction experience was well received by participants.