Braille Keypad: Barrier-Free Self-Service Terminal Technology Benefit Every User

The Ministry of Science, Technology and ICT of South Korea recently announced that it will invest up to 9.2 billion won (about 6.66 million US dollars) to implement the "Barrier-free Self-service Terminal Technology and Communication Support Project" to bridge the digital divide for the elderly and disabled groups. This national strategy not only responds to South Korea's newly revised law to protect the rights and interests of digitally disadvantaged groups, but also opens up a broad market space for barrier-free equipment and accessories.

The Key to Hardware Transformation
The core of this project directly hits the structural contradictions in the current popularization of self-service terminals: on the one hand, the elderly and disabled people face many difficulties in operating traditional equipment; on the other hand, equipment installers and small operators are constrained by cost pressure and find it difficult to upgrade barrier-free facilities actively. The new policy aims to support approximately 50 small and medium-sized enterprises in developing barrier-free terminals through technical consultation. Specifically, 1.5 billion won will focus on promoting the barrier-free process for unmanned stores and financial service points.

The coordinated transformation of hardware and software is listed as an important breakthrough. Numeric Industrial Braille Keypad, optimizing screens for wheelchair users, and specific needs such as keypad height have become the core scenarios for the implementation of the policy. Song Sang-hoon, director of the Information and Communications Policy Bureau of South Korea, clearly stated: "This project will significantly reduce the burden on individual merchants to adopt barrier-free terminals and accelerate the improvement of the convenience of use for vulnerable groups."

Technological Advantages Empower Inclusive Scenarios

Xianglong Communication's series of barrier-free input keypads provides mature solutions for the application scenarios described by South Korea's new policy. The Braille keypad uses a high-sensitivity convex mold, and the touch and pressing feel are ergonomic; it supports different installation methods and installation angles, and can be combined with the device to adapt to the viewing needs of wheelchair users perfectly.

What is more noteworthy is that Xianglong Communication's handle can be connected to Windows and other systems, combined with AI to simplify the operation logic, enhance interactive inclusiveness, and provide another possibility for users with limb coordination disorders or vision loss to interact with the device. Through AI voice guidance, it helps people with disabilities complete a series of operations, and has mature application cases in public service scenarios in many East Asian countries.

With the actual investment of the South Korean government budget and the improvement of supporting regulations, the country's barrier-free transformation needs for scenes such as unmanned convenience stores, bank ATMs, and government self-service terminals will continue to be released. The policy shows the humanistic warmth in the process of social digitalization. We have been working on barrier-free input technology for many years to solve the core proposition of "technological ease of use". With its modular design and rapid deployment capabilities, Xianglong Communication's hardware solutions are expected to become an important technical partner of Korean self-service terminal equipment manufacturers. We look forward to working with Korean partners to make technological innovation truly benefit every user. "

As the global population structure moves towards deep aging, barrier-free is no longer a niche demand, but a standard infrastructure for a smart society.