Honda Scenic’s new AI-based audio app will help make the joy of travel accessible to the blind … [+]
CES 2025 made it clear that accessibility is no longer a checkbox or an afterthought—it’s a cornerstone of innovation, connectivity and commercial success. Accessibility-focused technologies are transforming industries by creating products that don’t just meet the needs of specific groups— appeal to all.
Michael Buckley, CEO of Be My Eyes, and Sandy Lacey, Executive Director of the Howe Innovation Center at Perkins Solutions, shared how businesses focused on accessibility are leading the way. From AI-driven visual assistance to immersive audio solutions, CES 2025 highlighted how companies that embrace inclusion are expanding markets, driving user loyalty and driving profitability.
From Niche to $37 Billion Market: Accessibility Goes Mainstream
Once limited to a niche market, accessibility technology has grown into a global powerhouse. In 2023, the DisabilityTech market was valued at $25 billion and by 2029, it is expected to reach $37 billion, according to McKinsey Market Research. This growth reflects a growing recognition of the universal benefits of inclusive design.
Companies like Be My Eyes are leading this transformation, a platform that is revolutionizing accessibility for the blind and low vision community while providing businesses with a path to better serve all of their customers. Originally created as a volunteer-run app that connects sighted individuals with blind or low vision users, Be My Eyes has become a transformative force in accessibility technology. Today, it supports more than 600,000 blind and visually impaired users and leverages a network of more than 4 million volunteers, according to company data.
At CES 2025, Michael Buckley unveiled an innovative partnership with Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. This collaboration integrates the Be My AI assistant into the glasses, enabling users to receive visual interpretation in real time. By empowering users to navigate their surroundings with independence, this innovation shows how immersive design improves everyday life.
Buckley emphasized that Be My AI is not just about advancing technology; it represents a scalable business model that brings access to key markets. By incorporating accessibility features into widely adopted products, companies unlock new revenue streams while creating meaningful social impact. This collaboration highlights how accessibility innovation can drive commercial success while improving lives.
Redefining road trips: Perkins and Honda lead the way with scenic audio
For many people, road trips are an essential experience, but for blind and low vision travelers, much of the journey remains inaccessible. Perkin’s Howe Innovation Center, in partnership with Honda, is changing that with Scenic Audio. This innovative app uses AI to provide real-time audio descriptions of landscapes, landmarks and weather conditions.
“Scenic Audio supports our mission to create a more accessible world for all by designing with and with the disability community. We are excited to collaborate on this project and applaud Honda for its leadership in creating immersive vehicle experiences.” explained Sandy Lacey. Scenic Audio appeals to families, tech enthusiasts and travelers by making road trips immersive for all passengers. Its potential integration into Honda’s vehicle lineup demonstrates how accessibility can create scalable and marketable solutions for the automotive industry while enriching lives.
Auracast: Shared audio revolutionizes public spaces
Among the standout innovations at CES 2025, Auracast™ streaming audio from Bluetooth SIG is poised to transform public spaces. By enabling users to stream high-quality audio directly to their hearing aids, headphones or earphones, Auracast provides an immersive and customizable listening experience in settings such as theatres, lecture halls and museums.
I experienced Auracast firsthand in an Auracast-enabled event hall at CES. As someone who wears GN ReSound Nexia hearing aids, I heard CLEAR muttered the moderator before addressing the room — something that would be impossible without this technology.
What sets Auracast apart is that it doesn’t replace existing accessibility solutions like live captions or video displays—it complements them. Providing another choice empowers users to engage in a way that works best for their needs. Some participants may prefer subtitles or visual aids, while others benefit more from a live audio link. This flexibility ensures that everyone can share the same experience, tailored to their preferences.
For businesses, Auracast offers significant operational benefits. It simplifies audio distribution and increases accessibility compatibility, making it an attractive solution for venues looking to improve customer satisfaction. By providing seamless access to audio for diverse audiences, Auracast is setting a new standard for how shared spaces can be inclusive and innovative.
Essilor Luxottica Audio Nuance Glasses: Style meets accessibility
Not all accessibility innovations look like accessibility tools—and that’s exactly the point. EssilorLuxottica’s Nuance Audio smart glasses combine discreet hearing support with stylish and elegant eyewear. Using advanced beamforming technology, these glasses amplify conversations while reducing background noise, making them ideal companions for social settings.
When I first heard about Nuance Audio, I was admittedly skeptical. As a child I wore thick, black-rimmed glasses that doubled as hearing aids, with clunky switches and tubes. They were heavy, difficult and far from faith-increasing. Nuance Audio, however, takes a completely different approach. These aren’t just functional devices—they’re stylish eye frames with small, discreet speakers designed to help individuals with normal to average hearing thrive in noisy environments.
What sets Nuance Audio apart is its ability to normalize hearing aids. Blending seamlessly into the realm of lifestyle products, these glasses eliminate the stigma often associated with assistive devices. They feel less like a medical tool and more like an aspirational accessory. As one CES attendee noted, “The intersection of sight and sound in a single accessory redefines assistive technology—it becomes aspirational, not clinical.”
By bringing together the eyewear and hearing aid markets, EssilorLuxottica is opening up potential revenue streams and redefining what accessibility products can be. Nuance Audio proves that assistive technology can be as stylish as it is functional, setting a new benchmark for the future of accessibility innovation.
Accessibility as a growth strategy
The theme of CES 2025 was clear: accessibility drives connectivity, innovation and profitability. Leaders like Michael Buckley and Sandy Lacey are proving that inclusive products don’t just address specific needs—they create universal appeal. Findings from the Akoio Accessibility and Human Experience Report reinforce this, highlighting the value of healthy environments designed to foster connection.
Companies that invest in accessibility are seeing the payoff in brand loyalty, expanded markets, and long-term growth. By incorporating inclusion into their strategies, these businesses are meeting the demands of an increasingly diverse global audience.
Accessibility as a business imperative
CES 2025 showed that accessibility isn’t just a tool for independence—it’s a driver of innovation, profitability and inclusion. Leaders like Michael Buckley and Sandy Lacey are paving the way for a future where accessibility is built into mainstream products, creating shared experiences that connect us all.
The accessibility movement is gaining momentum, fueled by technologies like Be My AI’s visual assistance, Scenic Audio’s real-time descriptions, Auracast’s customizable audio streaming, and Nuance Audio’s elegant listening support. These innovations don’t just meet the needs of specific groups—they open up new opportunities, markets, and revenue streams.
For businesses, investing in access is no longer optional – it’s a strategic advantage. Companies bold enough to embrace inclusivity are unlocking new customer bases, driving brand loyalty and positioning themselves as leaders in a rapidly evolving market.
The message from CES 2025 is clear: accessibility is shaping the future of innovation. Will your business be a part of it?
