Talking labels are stickers or tags with embedded RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chips inside that convert into spoken audio when scanned by a reader. This is extremely useful for individuals who are visually impaired or experience reduced eyesight, as it provides another tool for navigating daily life. RFID uses radio waves to communicate and allow a reader to identify and track targets (Xiao et al., 2006). However, some RFID chips are not compatible with phones as they cannot read or scan it, and require an entirely separate device to be able to convert into audio. NFC chips are a category of RFID that are compatible with phones, and generally have a shorter detection range compared to other RFID chips.
These chips communicate by having tags pre installed with information that can then be read when a phone is tapped. This sends signals to the phone which will then tell the phone to act on whatever information is sent. This method allows the converted information to use the phone itself as an audio player and as a reader. It also allows the chips to use the phone as a battery supplier instead of requiring a separate battery. This mechanism is a necessity and a convenience for visually impaired individuals, as relocating the same object or spot would be difficult (Liu & Zhao, 2026).
The General Potential of Talking Labels
Today, talking labels using RFID and NFC technology are widely used across different sectors. Healthcare predominately requires talking labels as an assistive tool for blind and visually impaired individuals to access their medication and help assist patients in hospitals and homecare settings. However, talking labels on products in the retail and food industry are less common. As technology continues to develop, advancements have been made to expand accessibility, including innovative labelling devices, mobile apps and sustainable material.
While traditional talking labels require users to tap their smartphone on a NFC tag or sticker, new devices have since come out including pens and wands. Launched in 2008, PenFriend is a pen-shaped audio labelling device that allows the user to record their voice (CNIB Penfriend3 Talking Labeller, 2024). With each recording, a microdot sticker is printed where the recorded memo will play out loud when tapped using the PenFriend. This technology expands the use of talking labels, allowing customized labels on a variety of everyday items for blind and visually impaired individuals to use and communicate through day to day life.
The use of talking labels have since advanced from the time it was created and its purpose not only serves visually impaired individuals but also help meet accessible needs for individuals with reading disabilities. Additionally, it eliminates language barriers with some apps available for NFC language translation when tapped (Ameed Alachi, 2024). With the rise of smart labelling and sustainability, a change to environmentally friendly NFC tags are being put in place, changing its use of material to create a more eco-friendly product (The Future of Environmentally Friendly NFC Tags, 2018). While those are only a few innovative advancements to talking labels, the technology has since been growing; with the recent rise of artificial intelligence, AI integration can expand its use and can further provide information on a scanned item or answer questions from the user out loud (Primotex Labels, 2025). As RFID and NFC technology advances, talking labels continue to bridge the gap between all individuals, creating a personalized experience and an accessible tool to all.
Comparative to Traditional Print Labels
Compared to traditional print labels, talking labels offer a much more accessible and interactive solution for individuals who are visually impaired or have reduced eyesight. Traditional print labels rely entirely on a person's ability to read printed text, which can be difficult or impossible for those with vision loss. While larger fonts, high-contrast colours, or Braille can improve accessibility, they still have limitations and may not meet the needs of all users. In contrast, talking labels using NFC lets RFID technology provide audio information when scanned with a smartphone. Rather than requiring the user to visually identify and read a label, the phone can instantly read the stored information out loud. This allows users to independently identify and organise items such as medication, food containers, personal belongings, or household products (Royal National Institute of Blind People, 2025.). Additionally, because NFC tags do not require their own battery and can use the smartphone as both a reader and audio output device, they are a convenient and cost-effective alternative to specialised electronic labelling systems.
Traditional labels are generally cheaper and simpler to produce, but they provide only static visual information. Talking labels, on the other hand, offer dynamic audio feedback, greater accessibility, and increased independence for users with visual impairments, making them a more inclusive solution for everyday navigation and item identification.
References
- Alachi, A. (2024, June 12). NFC Language Translation. NFC Tagify.
- Cnib penfriend3 Talking Labeller. CNIB SMARTLIFE. (n.d.). CNIB SMARTLIFE.
- GoToTags. (2025, October 22). The future of environmentally friendly NFC tags - gototags - NFC, UHF RFID and Barcode Software, hardware and tags. GoToTags.
- Labels, P. (2025, November 29). The future of smart labels: NFC and RFID technology in Packaging. Primotex Labels Pvt. Ltd. : Best Label Manufacturer in Bangalore.
- Liu, M., & Zhao, S. (2026). Echo: A Human–Computer Collaborative Design of an Intelligent Object-Finding System for the Visually Impaired. AHFE Open Access.
- Xiao, Y., Yu, S., Wu, K., Ni, Q., Janecek, C., & Nordstad, J. (2006, July 24). Radio frequency identification: technologies, applications, and research issues. Wiley Online Library.
- Royal National Institute of Blind People. (n.d.). Labelling devices for blind and partially sighted people. Royal National Institute of Blind People.