Reaching out to all of you to help me find a completely hands-free cell phone for a higher-level quadriplegic who reached out to me through Quadomated.
I’ve been researching this all day with my Samsung Galaxy S3, and while I’ve gotten close I still need a home screen or headset button press from time to time to wake up the phone and get S-voice (Samsung’s Siri like voice assistant) to start listening. Now this makes complete sense that the cell phone wouldn’t sit there continuously waiting for you to say something as this would quickly use up battery juice, but there must be some way to keep it listening once the phone is plugged in?!?
I find it amazing that in this day in age, especially with all the distracted driving laws keeping our cell phones out of our hands, and people’s excessive need to always stay connected that there isn’t some way to truly use a cell phone hands-free. Take my Samsung Galaxy S3; it has this mode called “Driving Mode” which is supposed to read out the caller information of incoming calls, read text/email messages, give notification of voicemails, announce alarms, schedule updates, yada yada, but it’s extremely flaky and only seems to work sporadically. One would think, that you could combine this with S-voice on a device that is plugged in to a car/wall and have complete hands-free control, you know to be safe and abide by the laws and everything. Is not like these laws or people’s excessive need to use a phone is a new thing. I just really don’t get it!
I’ve looked further at a few additional options to use a cell phone completely hands-free. Two hardware devices appear to quite adequately fit the bill, and one software solution appears to be quite perfect if I can figure out how to disable my Galaxy’s native interface and get it to do the heavy lifting. More on all that below:
The Devices
No Buttons Headsets work with a magnet that is supplied with the headset.
This is my favorite option, designed by an automotive technician who wanted to make a truly hands-free cell phone for his son who is a high-level quadriplegic with no use of his arms. It works by using a standard BlueAnt headset and replacing the normal pushbutton switch on the side with an internal magnetic switch which can be activated by moving the headset within 1 inch of a magnet. The magnet can be attached to the wheelchair using an included 29 inch rod, or placed on the user’s hand/wrist brace for those who can move their arms. This is exactly how I would design such a hands-free device, using a Reed switch similar to what makes the window and door security sensors work in my home.
BlueAnt S4, there is no need to touch your phone or car speakerphone while driving.
This is a second option that I think could work extremely well while I’m lying in bed. It is a larger, speakerphone device that supposedly works/interfaces with a cell phone completely hands-free. I’ve reached out to the manufacturer of this device to see if they’d send me one to evaluate and place a review up on Quadomated. If it works as prescribed, anyone could use this device completely hands-free. Could be an extremely reasonably priced option for us quadriplegics. I’ll write more as soon as I get to try one out.
Software Possibilities
Dragon Mobile Assistant now offers completely hands-free controls.
While writing this article, I think I may have stumbled on to a very real solution. While typing away, I got thinking back to an Engaget interview with the Chief Technical Officer of Naunce, the folks who make Dragon NaturallySpeaking, and about their recently released voice recognition/mobile assistant apps that have taken a huge step forward. Upon going to the Google Play store, I found a newly released Dragon Mobile Assistant application that was described as follows:
Dragon Mobile Assistant now offers completely hands-free controls, thanks to the new Driver Mode. When turned on, you can wake up Dragon by saying "Hi Dragon," and the assistant will offer you more spoken guidance to help you out when you can't look at the screen. In this mode, Dragon will also read your incoming messages aloud. Now you can access your favorite features in more places than ever before. - Google Play Dragon Mobile Assistant
AWESOMENESS! This is exactly what I’m after, so I installed it and had extremely good results during the short 10 minute break of using it (while writing this post), but ran into one major problem. The native Samsung S-Voice and the Dragon Mobile Assistant were competing with each other to be my virtual assistant; almost like two saucy sounding robots fighting over yours truly ;-). Looks like I’ll have to dig deeper into figuring out how to break up with S-Voice, which doesn’t appear to be an exactly easy/straightforward thing to do (yeah, we’ve all been in those kindof relationships), and date Dragon exclusively to see what happens.
One major thing I noticed right off the bat with Dragon Mobile Assistant… She’s always listening! Dragon seems to always keep my cell phone on and listening when in driving mode, a very good/hugely important thing to make this all work, but very demanding on the ole battery.
Conclusion
So, to all you techie folks out there… PLEASE HELP ME FIGURE OUT A SOLUTION TO GET A TRULY HANDS-FREE CELL PHONE. And to you quadriplegics out there looking for a solution… Hang tight, I’m investigating and quite possibly very close with the new Dragon Mobile Assistant.
Quadomated out…
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Hi – I came across this site while researching the above subject for a friend living in Mexico. He is a quadraplegic and has no use of his hands, but is in great shape above the neck. I saw him this summer and showed him my new iPhone and Siri and he was very impressed. A while back he tried Dictation Dragon, but it wasn’t very cooperative at the time. I think they and siri have advanced tremendously since then. My friend, surprisingly has no access to a computer other than dictating to assistants. I would appreciate any advice you could share as to how best to get this man connected, both to a computer and phone/cell phone. Thanks in advance.
I don’t have use of my arms but I can squeeze with one hand but that’s not needed. I use SmartNAV to use my computer. It has a voice control which I don’t use but you can move the cursor with head movement and type with a on screen keyboard. https://www.naturalpoint.com/smartnav/products/4-at/
Hey Richard,
Have a look at my blog for my approach on hands-free computing:
http://pc-boulevardier.blogspot.ca/
This might point your Mexican friend to a solution that works very well for people with good head movement.
I also wanted to point you to another site dedicated to technology solutions for physically challenged users.
It is the UK based AbilityNet website:
http://abilitynet.wetpaint.com/
I’m a contributing author with the nom-de-plume of Boulevardier.
There is an excellent section on hands-free computing and I just added my latest contribution an article about Home Automation.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me:
handsfree@live.ca
Cheers-Sig
I have a friend in Peru who recently became a quadriplegic as a result of a motorcycle race accident. I am looking for tech help like you described to allow him to connect to his family and friends. Keep us posted. I just today started looking for something like this and this is the first web site I looked at.
thanks, Mark
I have been looking for my high level injury quad boyfriend. We can call in and his blue tooth automatically answers but there is no way for him to dial out. please please email me with any information you find out on options that are out there!
You are absolutely right… It’s a very dealbreaking failure mode and makes the software unusable for anyone that needs true hands-free operation. I’m trying to get in touch with the Dragon Mobile Assistant product development team and hopefully get involved as a tester/feedback guy to help get this issue noticed. Will comment back when I get anywhere.
IF I HAD A VOICE ACTIVATED PHONE I WOULD B ABLE2CALL4HLP;
OCCASIONALLY MY CALL BELL DOESN’T RING STRANDING ME WITHOUT ASSISTANCE OR IT RINGS And ISN’T ANSWERED .IT IS TERRIFYING FOR ME TO BE ISOLATED ALONE IN MY ROOM WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH ANYONE WHEN I AM IN PAIN AND NEED TO BE TURNED TO OBTAIN RELIEF. IF I HAD A VOICE ACTIVATED TELEPHONE, I WOULD BE ABLE TO TELEPHONE THE NURSES STATION TO REMIND THEM TO HELP ME OR IF THEY DONT ANSWER CALL A FAMILY MEMBER FOR HELP.
I’m IN A NURSING HOME THAT’S UNDERSTAFFED And REDUCING STAFFERS BECAUSE OF OBAMA CARE .
PHONE MUST B TOTALLY VOICE ACTIVATED WITH NO TOUCHING 2 ACTIVATE .
PLEASE ADVISE ME WHEN YOU DISCOVER A SOLUTION
Debra Scruggs-Scruggs phalanx-dragon slayers
Formerly: Homeschooling mom of 9 and pvt. pilot
Currently: Quadrapeligic due to advanced MS and living in a nursing home
Phone: 561-743-5093 Room 227B
SC student 20yrs
ROMANS 8:28
Hey Debra,
Most certainly will! The Dragon Mobile Assistant is ALMOST the perfect solution minus it’s one major failure mode… If you hands-free dial out a call and nobody picks up there is no way to hang up the phone without touching it. Not such a good thing!
Let me research a little bit more, possibly talk with the Dragon people and try to get on their development/testing audience and see if we can figure out a better solution!
Will report back when I find more,
-Mike
Hi Debra,
I am currently using 2 Bluetooth devices as follows:
1) The first device is a voice controlled speakerphone. Blueant S1. I use it to answer calls only. I cannot make calls since this requires the press of a button. However this company has recently shipped its S4 model which they advertise as “True handsfree”
Here’s a quote from their site http://www.myblueant.com
“Use Your Voice to Make and Receive Calls
To activate the S4, all you have to do is say the hands-free trigger phrase “BlueAnt Speak to Me” and the S4 will be ready for your voice commands.
To make a call, just say “Phone Commands” and the S4 will activate your phone’s voice dialing feature. *
When the phone rings you won’t need to take your eyes off the road to know who is calling because the S4 will read out the caller’s name or number and ask you if you want to take the call. All you have to do is say “Answer” or “Ignore”.
Hear Your Messages on the Go
The S4 integrates with Vlingo SafeReader so that you can hear incoming text messages read aloud. Once the Vlingo SafeReader application is installed on your BlackBerry® or Android™ 2.x smartphone, your incoming messages will be read out automatically as they come in.”
I really like the Blueant because its voice recognition works well and the battery life is phenomenal. Up to 1 – 2 weeks depending on use.
2) The second device is a voice controlled GPS. The Garmin nuvi 2595LMT pairs with your phone and uses the phone’s address book to dial out hands free. You simply say “Voice Command”, “Phone” and then the name of someone in your address book. It works very well but I’m not sure about battery life since we use it in the car with constant power from the cigarette lighter plug. It may be possible to use this device bedside if plugged in to a USB port on a laptop or wall plug.
I also use a head controlled laptop and I can use Skype to dial out.
This requires good head movement and a head tracker and point and click software.
Please see my blog pc-boulevardier.blogspot.ca for more details.
I have been looking for a totally hands free phone for my sister who is bedridden with severe rheumatoid arthritis. She can move only her left arm slightly from the elbow down. She can no longer push the speaker button on her phone, much less dial out. I thought there must surely be an answer in this technological world of ours. I found the Blue Ant S4,also, but I don’t know enough about technology to know if it works. I wish you luck for all the quadriplegics and others in need of a totally voice automated phone. Please let me know what you find out. Thank you and God bless you!
I left a message and my e-mail this past weekend, but I’ve just been talking to Motorola about their Moto X. I don’t know if I mentioned it in my e mail to you. They told me the only thing you had to touch was the button to hang up. Then they suggested you ask the person on the line to hang up first, then yours will disconnect. Do you know about this one? I am looking for something for my sister who is totally “frozen” from severe rheumatoid arthritis. Thanks!
Hey Janis, don’t see that I’ve received any emails from you. Have you tried using the little email icon or contact button at the top of the page? I’m not familiar with the Moto X, but having to touch the button to hang up is a complete showstopper. What happens when the person on the other line doesn’t pick up or the phone goes straight to voicemail? Then the user is stuck without a phone for however long it takes before either the voicemail hangs up, the phone stopped ringing, or the phone runs out of battery. NOT GOOD! We need to find a better solution. Let me keep looking and please let me know if you find anything that works!
-Mike
I was confirming my request to receive your emails and accidentally hit the wrong button! So, I guess I’m signing up again. Thank you. Sorry I’m technically challenged!
Thanks, now I just need to catch up on life and start sending them again! Soon I hope!
Here is a summary of my recommendations for hands-free phone solutions:
For phone calls on the go (wheelchairs or in car):
Blueant S4
Note: I have used the previous S1 model for years. I have easily Bluetooth paired it with iPhones and Blackberries. The S4 should work just as well but I’m not sure about how long the battery lasts before a recharge since the S4 is always in “listening” mode.
For phone calls from a fixed location such as a living room or bedside:
I recommend an Internet connected Windows laptop or netbook, sitting on a platform such as an Airdesk. The Airdesk can be adjusted to make your laptop accessible to a wheelchair user who can roll up to it or bedside. The main telephone communications software is Skype. Skype is normally thought of as a PC to PC video calling application. However it is important to note that Skype can also be used to make telephone calls. N.B. in US/Canada this is cell phones and landlines, in many other countries landlines only.
Extra costs: Skype unlimited telephone calling in US/Canada costs roughly $3/month and you should use a decent microphone. I use a USB connected “gooseneck” microphone which can be perfectly placed close to my mouth.
Skype can be made “handsfree” 2 main ways:
For users with good head movement I recommend a head-tracker combined with free dwell-and-click software. It’s easy to dial out by clicking phone numbers on the free Microsoft on-screen virtual keyboard. I personally use this kind of handsfree solution and am able to use 100% of everything available on my laptop. This includes Skype, e-mail, Internet browsing, video editing, TV/Home Theatre IR remote control etc. For more detailed info check out my blog
PC-boulevardier.blogspot.ca
For users with limited head movement who have good voice quality I recommend a voice recognition approach. The best PC based voice software is Dragon Speech Recognition Software from Nuance. You need a good microphone (the same microphone is used by Skype)and a relatively quiet environment. You can tell Dragon to start Skype, dial the telephone number, talk on Skype, hang up etc.
Users with limited head movement and poor voice quality may be able to use eye movement trackers. I have had no exposure to this technology and only mention it as a 3’rd option possibility.
My brother recently had all limbs amputed. I am searching for the best table top completely hands free device. Any recommendations?
Please add me to email list. Son in nursing home with MS. Just bought iPhone 4S and blueant q3. But he can’t push button on headset to answer phone. There must be something out there for people with paralysis. The phone is his major connection to his family and friends. Bless you and keep up your positive life attitude.
Thanks for the message Ruth; added you to my email list although haven’t started using that much. Wondering if your son has figured out how to use the iPhone 4S/Blueaunt Q3 combo yet? Would love to share his solution on here if he has.
Sesame Enable is a relatively new company working towards a fully head-controlled smartphone (will be Android based):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29SCwYNi_xo
Till that product comes out, they have released an Android app that allows you to read eBooks while turning the pages with your head. So independent reading is possible for quadriplegics (after an assisted setup).
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sesame.reader&hl=en
For proper disclosure, I am the founder of Sesame Enable happy
My co-founder is a quadriplegic himself, and initiated this development.
Best,
Oded
Great stuff! Just watched the video and think this could be a game changer for some higher-level quads!
Wondering about one specific usage scenario that I see happening with myself. Let’s say I’m using Sesame Enable as my hands-free way to use my telephone when I’m in bed at night. Maybe the phone is mounted to the underside of a shelf placed directly over my head. What keeps the application from typing/clicking away as I lay there watching TV or sleeping. Is there some way to either verbally or with your eyes/head put the application to sleep, and then wake it up when the user is actually wanting to use it?
Thanks for sharing and writing this incredible application,
Mike
Thanks for the kind words Mike! We definitely aim for a game changer as you suggested!
The usage scenario you describe is indeed very common, and so we implemented a “pause” feature, that is just not displayed in the movie – you can click a special “lock” button to suspend further clicks by the application. Then, by a special (and comfortable) gesture of the head you unlock the application, and resume normal activity.
Be sure to follow up on the solution status, either in Twitter: http://twitter.com/sesameenable
or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sesameenable
Cheers!
Oded
The pause feature… EXCELLENT! Sounds like exactly what I was thinking.
I wonder if there’s any way to combine all the added usage possibilities of Sesame Enable with one of the better voice recognition apps out there? That way you use your head to navigate around the phone screen and your voice to do any of the heavy lifting like writing a text message, dialing a phone number, or typing a web search query.
Have followed you guys on Twitter/Facebook and am very interested to see where this leads.
Great work!
-Mike
We’re looking into combining voice recognition into the app.
Will update on FB/Twitter.
All the best,
Oded
I finally decided to purchase a BlueAnt S4 “hands free” speakerphone.
Have a look at my blog for my review
http://pc-boulevardier.blogspot.ca/
It’s a very good device. Speech recognition is great, paired with the right phone this is a compelling hands free solution. I gave it 4 stars out of 5.
Cheers-Sig
I have one of the blueant Q2 hands free and after some adjustments it is working great. I have not been able to figure out a way to have the magnet stay in place on my wheelchair and yet have it far enough away so that I am not constantly triggering it as I am pretty active, but cannot move my neck and head far enough to trigger the blueant and yet have it far enough away. My solution outside has been to hang several magnets around the property so that I do not have to come back in the house to go to where I have the magnet situated. I also have a magnet on my wheelchair that other people can access and trigger the blueant for me. I love the fact I can have a private conversation and not have to use a speakerphone. It’s quite a good setup.
Hi everyone,
I am new to this forum and desperately need a completely hands-free telephone. I have reasonably good head/neck movement, but cannot use any other body parts. At present, there is no way for me to use the phone. Can anyone recommend a telephone that I can use?
Thank you,
Larry
Hi Everyone,
My name is Larry Hopkins and I am in a real bind about a telephone. I am a high level quadriplegic with decent head movement, but not enough voice amplification to be heard via a speakerphone.
Mike–I have emailed you 3-4 times, but they must not be going through. If anyone has any suggestions please, please give me some direction.
Thanks,
Larry Hopkins
Hello, I am looking for a complete voice activated cell phone solution for quadraplegics. I have read so much information and the blogs with the pros and cons. For someone that moves the chair with the puff and sip and there head for reclining what is the answer for a completely hands free, voice activated,I need to call someone and they need to be able to call me and it can read my messages to me solution is there? Thanks any and everyone.
Hello, I am looking for a complete voice activated cell phone solution for quadraplegics. I have read so much information and the blogs with the pros and cons. For someone that moves the chair with the puff and sip and their head for reclining what is the answer for a completely hands free, voice activated, I need to call someone and they need to be able to call me and it can read my messages to me solution is there? Thanks any and everyone.
I have a system that works really well. It’s Dragon Mobile Assistant on an Android phone running 4.0 or above and any Bluetooth headset. The best thing about it is that it never shuts off and is always waiting for me to give the keywords to come to life. I don’t even need to see the phone in order to send and receive texts and phone calls. In fact, I keep it in a pouch behind me in the wheelchair. It has given me freedom that I haven’t had 19 years. Being ventilator dependent, I used to have to stay close to the house and be back at a certain time within the limits of my self-breathing ability. Now I am able to go anywhere without a safety time limit because I can check in every 15 minutes. Further, I use Life360 for tracking purposes so that if I don’t check in on time, my wife can simply look at her phone, see where I am, and come get me. Freedom through technology!
Hello!
I cam across this website by google searching “quadriplegic voice assistant”.
My father is a quadriplegic and we found that using the new HEY SIRI feature on an iPhone has been very helpful.
As long as the phone is plugged in, he can wake it with his voice and then:
1. send emails
2. send text messages
3. place phone calls
3. play music by a specific artist
4. set alarms and reminders
5. ask questions (weather, facts, how badly are the Browns losing right now) : D
I just want to add this to the discussions, good luck finding solutions everybody!
Thanks! I have a friend who was paralyzed last year by a lightning strike. Dragon Mobile Assistant was just what I needed. I can’t wait to take it to him.
I AM A QUADRIPLEGIC NEEDING A TOTALLY HANDS FREE LANDLINE TELEPHONE AND AFTER SEARCHING 4 YEARS I’m DESPERATELY ASKING 4 ASSISTANCE 2 FIND 1,PLZZZ!!!
I’m a high level quad with no arm function and DESPERATELY need a phone system with voice/sound activation to answer incoming calls as well as call out.
Needing one up & going asap!
Thanks,
D
Hi, one of my friend is a MS patient with no use of her hands and legs. Looking for a phone which is completely hands free. She can move her head around.
The reason iam desperately looking for a phone for her is, one night one of her carers didn’t come to sleep and she was in her bed all by herself for 11 hours till the morning carer came. I really want to help her. plz let me know, what are the options available.
I have read through your blog but, confused which is the best option for her.
Hello folks,
There’s this somewhat new feature called “Hey Cortana” using the Microsoft platform. To help you get an idea of it compare it to the “Hey Siri” feature if you know what that is. It’s a hands free option that lets you send emails, send text messages, place phone calls, play music, set alarms and reminders, ask questions and so on. The only downside that we’ve found so far is that you’re not able to activate the speakerphone setting while on a call. So a question I have is that if you pair it with something like the Blueant S4 will that solve the problem we’re having?
Thanks ahead of time (:
My problem isn’t as bad as a paraplegic, but i am having real problems using cell phones. I have Essential Tremors which means my hands shake very bad and they have a mind of their own. I have a smart phone and it is such an effort to use cause my fingers constantly hit the wrong things. I thought if I could find a voice activated phone it would be so helpful, but I’m not having much luck. Would you have any suggestions?
here is a copy of a message I sent three years ago, and I stumbled across it, because I’m still searching for a cellular telephone to purchase; I am sending it one more time, because in three years. A lot has changed technologically and it would benefit me greatly to find out what other quadriplegics are currently using as their cellular phones.
DEBRA DEW September 28, 2013 at 6:30 PM Reply
IF I HAD A VOICE ACTIVATED PHONE I WOULD B ABLE2CALL4HLP;
OCCASIONALLY MY CALL BELL DOESN’T RING STRANDING ME WITHOUT ASSISTANCE OR IT RINGS And ISN’T ANSWERED .IT IS TERRIFYING FOR ME TO BE ISOLATED ALONE IN MY ROOM WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH ANYONE WHEN I AM IN PAIN AND NEED TO BE TURNED TO OBTAIN RELIEF. IF I HAD A VOICE ACTIVATED TELEPHONE, I WOULD BE ABLE TO TELEPHONE THE NURSES STATION TO REMIND THEM TO HELP ME OR IF THEY DONT ANSWER CALL A FAMILY MEMBER FOR HELP.GameCube care to Bob Nash. Mass move
three years ago I posted a message on here and I tried to send it again, but it will not allow me to. I am trying to find out what voice-activated cellular telephones, other quadriplegics are successfully utilizing because I want to purchase one for safety reasons ASAP. Please tell me what is working for you. Thank you
My wife has been a quad for 19 years and the phone thing has always been a problem. Today I installed some Amazon Echo units around the house and a device called an Amazon Connect that attaches to the phone line. It lets all the Echo devices become hands free phones. Just say Alexa answer or Alexa hang-up. Seems to work and a added benefit is they can be used as an intercom between the units. If she’s in her bed and I’m in the basement she just says Alexa drop in basement and it becomes an intercom. I hope this helps someone
Bob