Samsung Electronics has recently unveiled a new feature in its AI-powered visual assistance app, Sullivan Plus, to enhance accessibility for visually impaired users. The newly introduced "Home Appliance QR Mode" aims to simplify the process of locating QR codes on Samsung home appliances, providing greater independence and convenience for users.
Sullivan Plus, which was developed by the startup TUAT, is already making a significant impact globally. The app uses advanced AI to describe images and read text aloud, and it is currently used in over 200 countries. The addition of the Home Appliance QR Mode is a major step forward in improving accessibility for visually impaired individuals.
The new feature works by utilizing the camera on the user's device to scan their surroundings. The app automatically detects nearby appliances and provides voice-guided instructions in 32 languages, helping users locate QR codes on Samsung appliances. This feature supports 5,895 different appliance models, spanning 12 product categories, including refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, and air purifiers. These models have been released by Samsung from 2022 through September of the current year and are recognized based on trained data.
This update marks an important milestone in Samsung's ongoing efforts to make its products more accessible to a broader range of users. According to Lee Bo-na, Vice President of Samsung’s Digital Appliances Business, the company plans to continue expanding the supported languages and appliances, aiming to make the Home Appliance QR Mode available to even more users in the future. The goal is to ensure that Samsung's home appliances are easy to use for everyone, regardless of their physical capabilities.
Samsung has also emphasized its commitment to improving the accessibility of all of its products. The company will showcase a range of accessibility features, including the new Home Appliance QR Mode, at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, the world’s largest consumer electronics and IT show. This event will provide a global platform for Samsung to highlight its innovative solutions that promote inclusivity and accessibility in the tech industry.
By integrating advanced AI technology with practical accessibility features, Samsung is helping to create a more inclusive environment for visually impaired individuals, enabling them to interact with their home appliances more easily and effectively.
