What Sesame Enable does

Sesame Enable developed hands-free, head-control accessibility software for smartphones, tablets, and computers. Founded in 2014 by a quadriplegic (Giora Livne, Co-Founder & VP Accessibility) and a small engineering team, the company's portfolio consisted of three core products: Open Sesame! Touch Free Control for Android, Open Sesame for Windows PCs, and Sesame Talking Keyboard for iOS. All three products used device-mounted cameras to track subtle head movements and convert them into on-screen actions, eliminating the need for any additional hardware and enabling full device operation for users who cannot use their hands.

The company's primary users were individuals living with ALS, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and other paralysis conditions, addressing a digital accessibility gap for a population that traditional touch- and keyboard-based interfaces exclude. Distribution was entirely self-serve via Google Play, the Apple App Store, and a direct Windows installer, with community support channeled through a dedicated Facebook Users group.

Sesame Enable shut down commercial operations in late 2019 after concluding that a sustainable business model was not viable. The founders subsequently made all products available at no cost to ensure continued access for the disability community. The company is no longer operating as a commercial entity, has no disclosed funding history, no external institutional investors, and no parent or holding structure. The legal entity is Sesame Enable Ltd., a UK private limited company, while the company's operating presence was centered in New York, United States. As of the latest available information, the products remain downloadable but generate no revenue.

Name

Sesame Enable

Legal name

Sesame Enable Ltd.

Website

https://sesame-enable.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Closed

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sesame Enable developed hands-free, head-tracking accessibility software for smartphones, tablets, and computers, serving people with ALS, spinal cord injuries, MS, and other paralysis conditions. The company ceased commercial operations in late 2019 and now distributes its apps free of charge.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Assistive Technology Software

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Computer Access & Alternative Input (Switch, Eye Gaze, Head/Mouse, Keyboards) (EDAKAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Assistive Input & Mobility Access (Alternative Keyboards/Mice, Switch Access, Eye Gaze) (EDAFAKAH), Assistive & Accessibility Input Devices (Switches, Adaptive Controllers, Braille Keyboards) (HDACAFAL), Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB)

Keywords

• Assistive technology software
• Head tracking control
• Disability accessibility apps
• Hands free device control
• Motor impairment solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Free Distribution Model: Following company shutdown in late 2019, all solutions are now provided completely free of charge. The company transitioned from a commercial operation to a free accessibility tool to ensure the vision carries on for people with disabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Sesame Enable developed hands-free, head-controlled accessibility software for smartphones, tablets, and computers, designed for individuals who cannot use their hands due to ALS, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and other paralysis conditions. The portfolio consists of three software applications (Open Sesame! for Android, Open Sesame for Windows, and Sesame Talking Keyboard for iOS) that leverage proprietary head tracking technology using device cameras to translate subtle head movements into device inputs without requiring additional hardware. The company shut down commercially in late 2019 and now provides all solutions free of charge to support the disability community.

Product overview

Sesame Enable provides a suite of hands-free, head control accessibility solutions for smartphones, tablets, and computers. The product portfolio consists of three core offerings: Open Sesame! Touch Free Control for Android devices, Open Sesame for Windows PCs, and Sesame Talking Keyboard for iOS. All products utilize head tracking technology to enable full device control through subtle head movements, targeting users with ALS, Spinal Cord Injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, and other paralysis conditions. The company ceased commercial operations in late 2019 and now offers all solutions free of charge.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Open Sesame!: Hands-free, head control solution for Android smartphones and tablets that tracks subtle head movements to operate any app.
• Sesame Talking Keyboard

Products and services

• Open Sesame! Touch Free Control

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Others

• Google (Accessibility):

Direct peers

• Jabbla: Jabbla produces AAC devices and software (e.g., Mind Express) for individuals with motor disabilities, serving the same communication and computer-access use cases as Sesame.
• AssistiveWare: AssistiveWare builds iOS AAC apps such as Proloquo and Proloquo4Text, which serve the same hands-free communication need as Sesame Talking Keyboard for users with motor and speech impairments.
• Control Bionics: Control Bionics develops neural- and switch-based AAC devices (NeuroNode) for people with ALS and paralysis, targeting the same end-user population as Sesame Enable.
• Tobii Dynavox: Tobii Dynavox is the leading dedicated provider of eye-tracking and head-controlled AAC and computer access solutions for people with motor disabilities — the same core use case Sesame Enable targets.
• PRC-Saltillo: PRC-Saltillo makes AAC apps and devices (e.g., TouchChat, LAMP Words for Life) used by people who cannot speak or use their hands, directly comparable to Sesame's Talking Keyboard.
• Smartbox Assistive Technology: Smartbox provides AAC software (Grid) and computer-access solutions for people with disabilities, including switch and alternative input, overlapping with Sesame's hands-free input value proposition.

Broad incumbents

• Microsoft Accessibility: Microsoft provides native Eye Control, Voice Typing, and accessibility settings across Windows, overlapping functionally with Sesame's Open Sesame for Windows product.
• Apple (Accessibility): Apple ships built-in Switch Control, Voice Control, and AssistiveTouch across iOS and macOS, providing a free, native alternative-input experience that competes with Sesame's head-tracking apps on iOS.

Emerging players

• Camera Mouse: Camera Mouse is a free, head/face-tracking tool that lets users control a computer cursor with head movements — a direct functional alternative to Sesame's head-tracking input on Windows.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sesameenable
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkBlFtGf3ipLar-F5y-tEZg
• Facebookfacebook.com/SesameEnable
• Instagraminstagram.com/sesameenable
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3308770

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sesame Enable