March 8, 2011 08:48 pm EDT

Japanese elevators get voice recognition, Japanese elevator rides get even more awkward

We here at Engadget are all about helping the less fortunate, so Mitsubishi Electric's latest innovation in elevator tech has us all warm and fuzzy. The new interface allows for blind users -- and presumably lazy users -- to select their destination floor by voice, with a subsequent announcement when they arrive. Additionally, the system kicks in whenever it detects a wheelchair, replacing the potentially difficult process of reaching high buttons with the simple act of speaking. No word on whether the system works in English just yet or if it'll make it to the States, but you might want to brush up on your Japanese either way.

Japanese elevators get voice recognition, Japanese elevator rides get even more awkward originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Akihabara News ||Comments

Original Link: http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/08/japanese-elevators-get-voice-recognition-japanese-elevator-ride/

View Full Article

Engadget

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics. Engadget was launched in March of 2004 in partnership with the Weblogs, Inc. Network (WI

More About this Source Visit Engadget