Google Will Be Giving 100,000 Home Minis To People With Paralysis

One of the useful features of smart speakers is its ability to be activated using our voice. This comes in handy when we need to do things but our hands are either full or dirty, like looking for recipes online, adjusting our thermostat, setting a reminder and so on. However, they can also be incredibly useful for those who can’t use their bodies.

Google seems to be aware of this and as such, the company has recently announced that together with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, they will be giving away 100,000 Google Home Mini devices to people who are living with paralysis. The idea is that since these users can’t use their bodies the same we do to do certain tasks, having a device like the Home Mini that can be controlled with their voice can be incredibly useful.

In a post by Garrison Redd, a Team USA Paralympic powerlifter, he shared how helpful the device has been for him. “The first thing I did was connect Mini to my Nest Thermostat (the one that’s a tad too high). “Hey Google, turn down the thermostat” is especially useful these days in the summer heat. I’m training for the 2020 Paralympic Games as a powerlifter for Team USA, so I use my Mini to set alarms, manage my training schedule, and even make grocery lists. Music is a huge motivator for me, and with Mini, I listen to Spotify playlists and get pumped up before a workout.”

For those who are living with paralysis, you can head on over to the Reeve Foundation where you can check on your eligibility status.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Gadgets, Home
Tags: Google, google home