From Texas Public Radio:
There’s an unmistakable “Disney’s home of tomorrow” feel to an exhibit at USAA’s new innovation exhibit space, at its Fredericksburg Road headquarters. It’s called the empathy lab, and when you walk in, a disembodied voice — somewhere between Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri — greets you.
At first glance, nothing sticks out about the living room layout other than the number of tablet-like screens under a big screen TV. The suburban look is camouflage for the the number of products set up to assist people with different needs. There’s a smart mirror that provides commute times and weather. There’s a doorbell for the hearing impaired that uses the room’s lights to signal someone is at the door.
“It’s a place where we can showcase how connected homes can improve the quality of life for our members,” said Mitzi Ruiz, strategic innovation director for USAA Labs.
The centerpiece is how multiple devices are integrated specifically for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. USAA provides financial and other services for military members and their families.