Leading electronics brand Panasonic have launched an innovative new range of televisions with talking features that were designed with the help of experts at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
Viera 2012
RNIB provided design advice and user feedback on the talking features which are now included as standard in the Panasonic Viera 2012 TV range. The TV is easy to use and allows people with sight loss to enjoy TV independently. This is the first integrated TV with voice guidance to come on the market.
Most people take using programme guides or on screen channel information for granted, but for people with sight loss it can be difficult or impossible to find information about their favourite programmes, check what is on later or to record a programme.
Voice guidance
This new feature, known as 'Voice Guidance', works by announcing on-screen information with synthetic speech and provides clear instructions on how to navigate around the TV menu. The talking feature allows people to choose the level of guidance that suits them, whether beginner or expert, and can be adjusted in terms of speed and volume.
The voice guidance system is intended to make Panasonic TVs easier to use for a wide range of people. As well as people with sight loss, those who have difficulty reading or operating electrical goods are set to benefit.
"Fantastic"
Fazilet Hadi, Group Director of Inclusive Society at RNIB, said: "This is a fantastic step forward. Televisions with talking features hugely improve the television experience for those of us with sight loss, ensuring that we can easily select channels and programmes.
"Text to speech technology has greatly improved in recent years and we hope that other developers and manufacturers join Panasonic in leading the way in making inclusive and accessible design the norm."
Fabrice Estornel, Senior Manager TV Group, Panasonic UK, said: "We are really pleased to be the first manufacturer to offer this feature, which will be of great benefit to blind and partially sighted people".
RNIB has made a commitment to support industry to bring accessible and usable products into the marketplace and continues to work with a number of organisations to achieve this. This latest development came after RNIB Chair Kevin Carey visited Japan in 2009 to outline the difficulties blind and partially sighted people were experiencing with TV, to executives at Panasonic.
If blind or partially people need assistance to install their new Panasonic TVs, RNIB has hundreds of Technology Squad volunteers on hand to help. They can be contacted via the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
For media enquiries, please contact Rachel Cafferty in RNIB's Public Relations Team on 0207 391 2043 or 0207 391 2223, email rachel.cafferty@rnib.org.uk
Panasonic Press Office
Contact: Jane Hinton 01344 853551 or Jennifer Norris 01344 853550, e-mail Jennifer.norris@eu.panasonic.com
About RNIB
Every day around 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight. There are around two million people in the UK with sight problems. RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. If you, or someone you know, has a sight problem RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk
About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of 8.69 trillion yen (€ 79 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2011. The company's shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE:PC) stock exchanges. For more information on the company and the Panasonic brand, visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/.