Apple has just announced an impressive array of new accessibility features poised to revolutionize the user experience for millions. Among the most anticipated is eye tracking technology, a breakthrough innovation leveraging artificial intelligence to empower individuals with physical disabilities to navigate iOS and iPadOS with unprecedented ease.

Scheduled for release in the upcoming iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 updates, these cutting-edge features are set to debut later this year, with Apple providing a sneak peek ahead of its much-anticipated WWDC event next month. Eye tracking, which harnesses the power of the front-facing camera, promises seamless calibration in seconds, utilizing on-device machine learning to ensure user privacy without the need for additional hardware.

In addition to eye tracking, Apple is introducing “music haptics,” a groundbreaking option that transforms the iPhone’s Taptic Engine into a conduit for musical expression. This innovation opens up a world of auditory experience for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, enabling them to feel the rhythm of their favorite tracks through vibrations and tactile feedback synchronized with millions of songs on Apple Music.

But the company’s commitment to inclusivity doesn’t stop there. Recognizing the prevalence of motion sickness among users, especially in moving vehicles, Apple is introducing features designed to alleviate discomfort without compromising usability. Through intuitive vehicle motion cues, animated indicators discreetly signal changes in motion, offering a seamless solution for those susceptible to sensory conflict.

Moreover, Apple is empowering users with enhanced voice control capabilities, allowing for personalized shortcuts and improved speech recognition tailored to individual needs. From launching complex tasks with custom utterances to identifying atypical speech patterns associated with conditions like cerebral palsy or ALS, these advancements underscore Apple’s dedication to inclusivity and accessibility across its platforms.

Beyond the immediate benefits for users, these announcements signal a broader shift towards AI-powered functionality within Apple’s ecosystem. With discussions underway for potential collaborations with leading AI entities like OpenAI and Google, the company is poised to integrate advanced AI and machine learning capabilities into its future products.

This article was originally published on May 15, 2024, at 11:30 am ET.