Assistive Touch On Apple Watch
To support users with limited mobility, Apple is introducing a revolutionary new accessibility feature for Apple Watch. AssistiveTouch for watchOS allows users with upper body limb differences to enjoy the benefits of Apple Watch without ever having to touch the display or controls. Using built-in motion sensors like the gyroscope and accelerometer, along with the optical heart rate sensor and on-device machine learning, Apple Watch can detect subtle differences in muscle movement and tendon activity, which lets users navigate a cursor on the display through a series of hand gestures, like a pinch or a clench.
This is technically astonishing. Watch the video. It’s less than two minutes long, and it’s one of the most technically impressive things you’ll watch this year. Seriously, watch it.
Also astonishing, is Apple’s commitment to accessibility. It’s something that is totally unparalleled in the tech industry, and it’s something everyone at Apple should be truly proud of. Features like this don’t make Apple money and they probably take a lot of resources to develop, but for the individuals who rely on them, they really can be life changing. It warms the heart to see Apple continuing to make products that are truly for everyone.