A mobile app with voice-activated object labelling to support blind and visually impaired independence  

Speechlabel is an assistive technology project designed to help people with visual impairments identify and organise the physical items in their environment using spoken, custom audio labels. Through the associated mobile application, users can create an audio description for objects by recording their own voice or adding text that is then played back when the item is scanned. The system supports scanning through the device’s camera or near-field communication (NFC) capabilities, allowing a smartphone or tablet to instantly read a label and announce its contents aloud to the user. Labels can be attached to common objects such as pantry containers, medication bottles, clothing, documents, appliances, or personal belongings.  

The underlying goal of Speechlabel is to enhance orientation and autonomy in everyday household and personal contexts. By having this audio information, the tool reduces reliance on memory, sighted assistance, or guesswork when interacting with objects. Users can create unlimited labels stored in the cloud, and they have the flexibility to re-record and update information as needed. The app’s design intentionally avoids over-dependence on artificial intelligence inference; instead, it emphasises user-generated audio content that precisely reflects the user’s intent and personal organisation system.  

Hable acquired the original Speechlabel project and integrated it into its accessibility portfolio, extending support, interface improvements and broader availability beyond its initial local reach.