More safety.
More independence.

Voice-controlled lighting and access to help for older adults. We're developing an affordable system that helps people with limited mobility turn on the lights and call for help using only their voice.

Share your perspective

Early prototype. Open to your experience.

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Developed in Ann Arbor, MichiganDesigned around people, with your perspective.
01 The idea

A small switch.
A meaningful difference.

Reaching a light switch isn't simple for everyone. OnCue starts with one everyday task: controlling the lights from where you are.

The initial prototype

Say it. Switch it.

The first prototype turns a light on and off by voice. The goal is a straightforward wall switch that people can use without reaching for a phone or learning an app.

An integration we're exploring

Another way to ask for help.

A separate component could physically activate an existing emergency call button by voice. This feature is planned; compatibility and reliability still need to be evaluated.

02 In development

Built a prototype.
Now, we're listening.

Completed

Test the idea

An initial working prototype demonstrates voice-controlled lighting.

Right now

Learn from everyday care

Conversations with care providers will help establish where OnCue is useful and what the next version needs.

Up next

Shape the next design

Use that feedback to guide the next board and prototype revision before committing to production.

03 Your perspective

Better starts
with listening.

If you work in senior care, we'd value 15 minutes to learn from your experience. Your input can help shape a product that's practical for residents and staff.

Start a conversation
  1. How do residents manage lighting at night, and when do they need help?
  2. What works well about your current lighting and call systems?
  3. Where might voice control be useful—or impractical?
  4. What would you need to see before considering a device like this?
04 Behind OnCue

Mingchuan Liu

Founder, OnCue
Engineering student, University of Michigan

I'm building OnCue to explore a simple question: can voice-controlled lighting be more accessible and affordable for the people who need it?

I built the first prototype to test the idea. Now I'm learning from people who live and work with these challenges every day.

An independent student-led project. Not sponsored by or endorsed by the University of Michigan.

A conversation is a good start

What would
make this useful?

Share a perspective. Ask a question. Help shape what's next.