A unique smartphone service to help visually-impaired people to navigate through complex indoor spaces has been created by a Cambridge-based company.
Cambridge Consultants, based on Cambridge Science Park, worked with Waymap to developed a precise navigation app, promising independence and freedom to travel to those who may need help getting around unfamiliar public spaces.
The creators’ ultimate mission is to provide independence, confidence and freedom of travel to millions of blind and visually-impaired people.
“I’m truly excited by the prospect of making this available to visually impaired people everywhere,” said Dr Tom Pey, Waymap chairman and chief executive.
One of the greatest sources of exclusion for blind and visually impaired people is the restricted social engagement that comes from limited travel.
The key barrier is to overcome the fear of not being able to complete their journey or suddenly being dependent upon strangers for assistance.
Many visually-impaired people simply do not go out alone or limit themselves to a handful of routes that they know well.
The app provides audio instructions to help the user to reach their destination with accuracy to within a single footstep.
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Crucially, there is no dependency on unreliable GPS signals or requirement to install specialist navigation equipment. Instead, an advanced algorithm that locates people accurately is used.
Dynamic routing gives the user the most up-to-date and relevant paths according to their needs.
Transport networks and venues seeking to activate the service first sign up as a provider.
The team then creates a detailed map of the venue, rich in features that are important to those with impaired vision.
Users then download the maps as they need them, while the venue is provided with a digital platform to integrate live services, manage their facilities and deliver emergency support.
“We are delighted to support Waymap in their ambition to improve the lives of so many blind and visually impaired people,” said Tim Fowler, Cambridge Consultants head of wireless and digital services.
“The new service will overcome the significant challenge of delivering highly accurate indoor navigation without the need for specialist infrastructure, blending our multidisciplinary expertise in AI, analytics and real-time data processing.
“This mix of technical innovation and real-world impact is just the type of project Cambridge Consultants thrives on.”