Blindways is an innovative new smartphone app that is designed to let you help blind people find the nearest bus stop by pinpointing your location to an accuracy level of a matter of inches, so that this information can then be added to a database that blind app users can utilize to ensure that they're standing at exactly the right spot when their bus rolls by.
Developed by the Perkins School for the Blind while making use of software technology from Raizlabs, the app lets you help blind people by launching the app, standing next to or right under a bus stop and then completing an in-app form that describes nearby objects. This then aids in the creation of a smart map that helps blind people recognize their immediate environment and the bus stop in question using their cane. It's a great example of the principle of crowdsourcing used to assist people with disabilities.
Crowdsourced Blind-Assisting Apps
The Blindways App Lets You Help Blind People Find Bus Stops
Trend Themes
1. Crowdsourced Accessibility Apps - Apps designed to improve accessibility using crowd-generated data can be a game-changer for people with disabilities and offer an opportunity for businesses to tap into this market.
2. Assistive Technology - Developing assistive technology can be a disruptive innovation opportunity for companies looking to provide solutions for people with disabilities.
3. Smart Mapping - Using smart maps to help people with disabilities navigate their surroundings can be a trend for enabling accessibility and creating inclusive environments.
Industry Implications
1. Technology - Technology companies can lead the way in developing assistive technology and crowdsourced accessibility apps to support people with disabilities.
2. Transportation - Ride-sharing and public transportation companies can use crowdsourced data to make their platforms more accessible for people with disabilities and tap into this underserved market.
3. Healthcare - Healthcare providers can leverage technology and smart mapping to create accessible environments and improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.