Russia Develops Mobile Communicator for People with Autism
At the Russian Ministry of Digital Development’s 'Digital Evolution' forum in Kaluga, a team from the Nizhny Novgorod region presented a test version of 'My Words,' a unique mobile app designed as a communicator for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other cognitive conditions. The project stands out as an example of Russian innovation and social responsibility.
A Technology That Changes Lives
The service was developed by Russian and Kazakhstani specialists with the support of the Nizhny Novgorod Laboratory of Inclusive Technologies and the Natalia Vodianova Foundation 'Naked Heart.' The project’s mission is to help individuals for whom digital communication is the only way to express thoughts and emotions, communicate effectively, and be understood by society. For people with developmental disorders, the main challenges often lie in communication—whether in education, work, family, or social life.
Globally, the app is highly relevant. According to Russia’s Ministry of Health, autism prevalence is estimated at 1%. That translates to at least 300,000 autistic children and more than a million autistic adults in Russia. The Global Burden of Disease study, published in 2024, found that one in every 127 people worldwide is diagnosed with ASD.
At the core of 'My Words' are visual cards that allow users to build sentences. The app converts selected words and cards into grammatically correct phrases, adjusting speech for the user’s gender and age. Artificial intelligence processes the inputs, making communication more natural and comprehensible.
The app offers two modes: a simple one for beginners and an advanced version for experienced users. It also supports not only Russian but also other languages of the post-Soviet space, opening the door to regional adoption.
Social Impact and Accessibility
'My Words' addresses a critical social issue by giving people with ASD the ability to engage in full communication—particularly those for whom digital tools are the only means of self-expression.
The project demonstrates responsible use of machine learning for social purposes. Russian technologies are being made accessible to people with disabilities, delivering real improvements in daily life. Importantly, the app also serves as a domestic alternative to 'Let Me Talk,' a foreign service blocked in Russia, while also addressing linguistic and cultural limitations of that tool.
Over the past five years, the global medtech field has expanded inclusive AI-driven solutions, but Russian equivalents were scarce. 'Let Me Talk,' developed in Germany, filled the gap for a time, but its lack of grammatical adaptation, limited voice options, and poor customization left Russian users underserved. 'My Words' is one of the first Russian solutions designed specifically with national realities in mind. It includes four types of voices—child, teenager, adult male, and adult female. When users select their gender and age at registration, speech synthesis adjusts accordingly.
The app signals the ability of Russia’s IT community to develop socially significant innovations on par with international solutions.
Support and Scaling Potential
The test version has already been implemented and ranked among the top-100 projects at the 'Strong Ideas for the New Time' forum. It also received support from the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, which paves the way for scaling and long-term sustainability.
Initial testers included beneficiaries of the Naked Heart Foundation, whose feedback is helping developers fine-tune the product to meet real-world needs. Potential collaborations are being discussed with Yandex, MTS, VK, Sberbank, and other major players. The app is planned for release on iOS and Android.
Looking ahead, 'My Words' is expected to be deployed not only across Russia but also in other post-Soviet countries.
Russia Builds the Future of Inclusive Tech
The 'My Words' project exemplifies how Russia is bridging social responsibility with high technology. It not only solves an urgent social challenge but also underscores that domestic developers can create innovations at a world-class level.
The app represents a step toward ensuring that people with developmental conditions can communicate, be understood, and be included in society. It demonstrates that Russian IT solutions can be technologically relevant, socially impactful, and ready for regional and global scaling.
