The University of Wisconsin-Madison is developing a mobile application called the Augmented Reality Home Assessment Tool (ARHAT) that uses AR and smartphone features like LiDAR scanners to help people assess their homes and identify potential accessibility issues as they age. The app “takes users through a step-by-step process that measures relevant parts of a living space and offers suggestions to make it more accessible. While using it, a user is prompted to select one of 14 limitations they may have — including visual impairment, mobility challenges or balance issues — and “then select the areas of the home to evaluate. Follow-up questions and prompts for measurements are tailored to the user’s answers, with the option to add notes and take photos. The app then employs a LiDAR scanner to measure a home’s elements and to visualize recommended changes or renovations. By superimposing visuals in the space as seen through the device’s camera, the tool will instantly let you know if something in the home is an accessibility barrier. The assessment then creates a detailed report listing identified barriers and potential issues with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, and makes recommendations on how to best address them. The researchers believe ARHAT can be a faster and more accurate alternative to traditional manual home assessments, potentially saving time and costs for healthcare agencies and systems.