The affordable, modern book and media player now brings together voice interaction and tactile, button-based controls

Wilmington, Delaware and Mumbai, India – 10 October 2026 – Orbit Research, in collaboration with the Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC), St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, today announced the introduction of Amazon Alexa on the Orbit Player, adding a new dimension of voice-based interaction to a device designed to make reading, learning and accessing digital content easier for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Users can now interact with Alexa directly through the Orbit Player, adding a powerful new voice-based way to explore information, books and other digital content. They can ask Alexa questions and use services including Audible audiobooks, Kindle content, news, podcasts and music, complementing the Player’s existing capabilities for reading, learning and entertainment.

Orbit has integrated the Amazon Alexa app for Android with the Orbit Player and made it accessible through the Player’s tactile, button-based interface and Orbit’s own screen reader. Users can navigate and interact with Alexa using the same familiar controls used throughout the Orbit Player, providing an easy and intuitive way to use the wide range of information and services available through Alexa.

“When we at the XRCVC, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai had our first look at the exciting new Orbit Player nearly 2 years ago, a seed germinated in our mind that this device with its versatile features had even greater potential. What came to mind was why not have Alexa run on this device? Our discussions with the Orbit Player developers led us over time to conceptualise a partnership which today has culminated into that seed bearing fruit. We are confident that this Alexa capability will empower Orbit Player users even more for their learning, play, or work. Congratulations Orbit team for helping our dreams see reality,” said Dr. Sam Taraporevala, Executive Director, XRCVC, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai.

“When we created the Orbit Player, our vision was to make it much more than a book and media player. We wanted an affordable, powerful, modern and expandable platform that could combine purpose-built accessibility with mainstream technologies and services,” said Venkatesh Chari, President and CEO of Orbit Research. “Alexa fits that vision perfectly. It takes a popular service that people already know and use and makes it easily accessible through the Player’s familiar tactile, button-based interface, designed from the outset for intuitive non-visual use. And it is only one example of what we believe this platform can become.”

The Alexa capability will be made available to existing Orbit Player users through an over-the-air software update starting Monday, 12 October 2026.

Amazon Alexa is a third-party application made available on the Orbit Player on an as-is basis. Orbit Research does not provide technical support for third-party applications or services.

For more information, visit www.orbitresearch.com

About Orbit Research

Orbit Research develops and manufactures innovative and affordable assistive technology for people who are blind or visually impaired. The company was founded with a mission to make advanced, no-compromise assistive technology products widely available by making them affordable. Orbit offers products spanning refreshable braille displays and notetakers, tactile graphic displays, accessible book and media players, accessible graphing and scientific calculators, and magnification products. Orbit’s products are used in educational institutions, workplaces and homes around the world, with a focus on practical design, durability and affordability. For more information, visit www.orbitresearch.com

About the XRCVC, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai

The Xavier’s Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged (XRCVC), St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai (www.xrcvc.org)  recipient of the National Award 2024 (Inclusive Education) of the Government of India, works towards inclusive education, accessibility of products and services and awareness and policy engagement for inclusion of persons with disabilities in the society. It is a state-of the-art resource centre housing over 250 assistive technologies, that supports the development of accessible products and services for persons with disabilities through research and collaborations. The XRCVC draws on its extensive experience and expertise in accessibility, and works closely with technology developers and organisations to inform, test and support the development of inclusive products and services for persons with disabilities.

Media Contacts

Orbit Research
Carla Morris
Orbit Research LLC
Tel: +1-888-606-7248
Email: morris.carla@orbitresearch.com
www.orbitresearch.com

XRCVC, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai
Dr. Sam Taraporevala, Executive Director
Tel: +91 9869378436
Email: sam@xrcvc.org