A group of students from WelTec created ICY, a vision app that provides audio information on the immediate surroundings of an individual with a vision impairment. Some of these cues include details on signs and plaques on buildings of historical significance, giving notable locations an added layer of accessibility.
The ICY app is able to communicate thanks to beacon technology, which will provide alerts that will describe: "You are outside Petone Post Office." In this situation, in order to extract more information from the app, users would be able to tap their phones to find out the opening hours of the post office or where the nearest mail slot is located.
In response to this helpful app, Ali Bradshaw, who is blind, describes that the ICY app "Could revolutionize my life."
Supplementary Vision Apps
The ICY App Aids Visually Impaired with Vocal Cues on Surroundings
Trend Themes
1. Vision Assistance Apps - Opportunity for creating more apps that provide audio information and aid individuals with vision impairments.
2. Beacon Technology - Potential to expand the use of beacon technology in providing location-based audio cues for improved accessibility.
3. Augmented Accessibility - Increasing focus on creating technologies that enhance accessibility and provide additional layers of information for visually impaired individuals.
Industry Implications
1. Mobile App Development - Disruptive innovation opportunities exist in developing vision assistance apps that leverage beacon technology.
2. Location-based Services - Industry can explore the use of beacon technology to offer location-based audio information for improved accessibility.
3. Assistive Technology - Industry can focus on developing innovative tools and apps that enhance accessibility and daily life activities for visually impaired individuals.