For many, grabbing the TV remote and flipping through channels is something they don't think much about. But for people with some disabilities, that task is impossible.
That all changes Monday as Comcast launches a feature that will allow people with disabilities to operate their X1 system using just their eyes.
Xfinity X1 eye control is a web-based remote that works on tablets and computers. It pairs with the TV-watcher's existing eye gaze system to allow them to change the channel, launch the TV guide, type out voice commands and more, Comcast said in a news release.
"When you make a product more inclusive you create a better experience for everyone and we're hoping our new X1 feature makes a real difference in the lives of our customers," Comcast Vice President of Accessibility Tom Wlodkowski said.
David Dikter, the CEO for the Assistive Technology Industry Association, praised the innovation.
"That X1 can now be used with eye gaze and an array of other assistive technologies shows a new level of commitment to access and independence for persons with disabilities. A company that understands that users have their own specialized technology and works to bridge these technologies in a way that delivers value, deserves applause," he said.
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This is not the first time the company has shown its commitment to improving the watching experience for people with disabilities.
It was the first to launch a talking TV guide in 2014, introduced a voice-controlled remote in 2015 and took things a step further in December of that same year by producing the first live entertainment program in U.S. history to be accessible to people with visual disabilities by providing video descriptions during "The Wiz Live!"
Comcast is the parent company of this NBC station.
