This Subway Navigation System Helps to Guide Blind Passengers
Katherine Pendrill — July 1, 2015 — Tech
Eugene Gao is set to design a new subway navigation system that would rely on Bluetooth beacons to guide blind passengers between stations. Gao came up with the idea for the project after reading about a beacon navigation system being implemented in the San Francisco International Airport. He then observed how this technology might be useful in the New York City subway to help those who suffer from visual impairments.
Gao's project is called 'Lantern' and it is based on the idea of using Bluetooth beacons to guide blind passengers. The beacons would only be the size of a bottlecap and they would use battery power to send information to a user's smartphone. The beacons would be scattered between subway stations so that when a user is in range, information would be sent to the app to safely guide them to the nearest platform. Laterns would also help to keep the visually impaired safe by emitting a high-pitched alert if the user came too close to the edge of a subway platform.
The subway navigation system could not only help keep blind New Yorkers safe, but it could also empower them to navigate the city more freely.
Gao's project is called 'Lantern' and it is based on the idea of using Bluetooth beacons to guide blind passengers. The beacons would only be the size of a bottlecap and they would use battery power to send information to a user's smartphone. The beacons would be scattered between subway stations so that when a user is in range, information would be sent to the app to safely guide them to the nearest platform. Laterns would also help to keep the visually impaired safe by emitting a high-pitched alert if the user came too close to the edge of a subway platform.
The subway navigation system could not only help keep blind New Yorkers safe, but it could also empower them to navigate the city more freely.
Trend Themes
1. Bluetooth Beacon Technology - Opportunity to implement Bluetooth beacons in various industries to assist individuals with visual impairments.
2. Subway Navigation Systems - Opportunity to develop innovative subway navigation systems for blind passengers using technology such as Bluetooth beacons.
3. Assistive Technology for the Visually Impaired - Opportunity to create and improve technologies that aid visually impaired individuals in their daily lives.
Industry Implications
1. Public Transportation - Opportunity for public transportation systems to integrate Bluetooth beacon technology to assist visually impaired passengers in navigating their routes.
2. Smartphone Applications - Opportunity for developers to create smartphone apps that utilize Bluetooth beacon technology to guide blind users through subway systems.
3. Technology and Innovation - Opportunity for technology companies to innovate and create new assistive technologies for visually impaired individuals.
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