Xogo, a customizable adapter for people with disabilities developed by Bansen Labs, came away with top honors at the CableLabs Innovation Showcase, being held this week in conjunction with the CableLabs Winter Conference in Orlando, Fla.
UpRamp, a CableLabs-backed program focused on tech startups, announced the selection of Xogo Tuesday on Twitter:
Congrats @myXogo for winning #innovationshowcase at @CableLabs#CLWC2017 They help #PwD overcome barriers of using consumer tech! pic.twitter.com/2iK1cq03bR
— UpRamp (@UpRamp) February 6, 2017
RELATED: UpRamp Gets Small Stake in Startup Selections
According to Pittsburgh, Pa.-based Bansen Labs, Xogo is a universal technology adapter that enables people with disabilities to connect to CE products, like gaming consoles and set-top boxes, using their own assistive technology. The Xogo adapter connects assistive devices via standard USB, Bluetooth, WiFi, and 3.5mm jack, and allows for configurations via an integrated user interface.
Per the Xogo FAQ, the adapter allows users to mix and match standard game controllers and assistive technology. Some use cases include collaborative play (working together to control one player) and full customizations that replace all of the controls of a standard controller with assistive technology.
Xogo, targeted to consumers who have trouble using a standard game controller, currently works with Xbox One and Nintendo GameCube consoles, and has plans underway to support the Xbox 360, as well as the PlayStation 3 and PS4. The company expects to adapt Xogo for other types of platforms, with cable boxes, media devices and smart home systems among the cited, future examples. Such a product could factor into the cable industry's ongoing accessibility efforts.
RELATED: Comcast’s ‘Talking Guide’ Goes Live
Update: The company confirmed that Xogo is compatible with wider range of devices that currently includes the Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, multiple cable boxes, TiVo boxes, and the Sphero BB-8 toy. The plan is to expand to most consumer technology devices via an open API, the company noted.
Bansen Labs notes on the site that there is a limited number of beta units available and that the product is currently built-to-order.
Mimik, a Vancouver-based startup focused on personal media cloud technologies, won the CableLabs Innovation showcase last year.
