San Francisco International Airport has unveiled a prototype version of a smartphone app, which can help visually-impaired passengers to navigate through an airport terminal.
 

The app was developed through San Francisco Mayor, Ed Lee’s, Entrepreneur-in-Residence Programme, which paired the Californian gateway with Indoo.rs, an indoor navigation technology firm, and was developed in the space of 16 weeks.

The prototype app works in conjunction with approximately 500 beacons located throughout the terminal to audibly call out various points of interest, including gate boarding areas, restaurants, and even power outlets.

The prototype version will undergo additional testing and refinement before being released for use by the travelling public.

Airport director, John Martin, explains: “This groundbreaking new innovation offers visually-impaired passengers something remarkable, the ability to navigate through SFO independently without assistance.

“I appreciate the collaboration with Indoo.rs and the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, made possible by Mayor, Ed Lee’s, Entrepreneur-in-Residence Programme.”

SOURCE: AIRPORT WORLD