Category: New Product 2020 IABN

Categories
New Product 2020 IABN News

Goodmaps: Inclusive Audio-Based Navigation Platform and App

Goodmaps Explorer: Evolving Outdoor / Indoor Navigation for Everyone

Like the mythical guide creatures in Pokémon.  Nearby explorer, an industry leading audio-based navigation app developed by the American Printing House for the Blind - APH. Has spawn the evolution of a new company, Goodmaps and an innovative app. Meet, Goodmaps Explorer, a seamless indoor and outdoor navigation app.  Combining robust and dynamic outdoor wayfinding capabilities with a revolutionary indoor camera positioning technology.

First, great news for users, the app is free to download. However, be aware that as with other GPS apps it does have an appetite for battery and data. So, keep a check on your smartphone data plan usage and have an extra charge for your battery, if out exploring for a while. Also take advantage of any Wi-Fi free zones to save on data costs.

Second, lots of great features. Quick and easy to understand tutorials to get you out and exploring. Ability to set a virtual location to do look around of nearby points of interest. Setting of filters has been replace with the use of generic keywords in the search field and an option if needing a little help to connect via your smartphone’s camera with a remote volunteer at Be My Eyes. Lots of great features to make getting around easier and safer.

Finally, although the indoor navigation positioning technology sounds exciting and looking forward to exploring a venue with the app’s camera vision technology. Reality right now is that there are likely few venues in your local community that support the technology like Goodmaps yet. The important word here is yet. Apple, Google, Goodmaps, other app developers including Accessibuild / Waymap and Gateway Navigation are working hard to promote the availability of venues that support indoor navigation. For more information on these efforts click on the blog posts below:

Article 3D Digital Mapping Interior Spaces:

https://gnc3.com/lidar-3d-indoor-mapping-inclusive-audio-based-navigation-systems/

Article Sharing Venue Mapping Data

https://gnc3.com/open-geospatial-consortium-ogc-inclusive-indoor-navigation-systems/

The Goodmaps Explorer app is currently only available for download as an IOS version. But understand an Android version should be out soon. For iPhone or iPad users, click on the following link to download:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goodmaps-explore/id1524698552.

Enjoy exploring your world with your new guide.

Gateway Navigation CCC Ltd is dedicated to the acceleration and availability of inclusive indoor and outdoor navigation systems for all persons. Please contact us at the following email with any questions or comments you would like to share: partners@gnc3.com

Categories
Innovation New Product 2020 IABN Service

LiDAR 3D Indoor Mapping: Inclusive Audio-Based Navigation Systems

3D Indoor Mapping the Evolution of Inclusive Augmented Reality

No matter whether you are a manager or customer at a venue. Being able to have people efficiently and safely reach a destination represents an economic and service value. Providing the opportunity to inform people about their surroundings and the choices available. The power of the digital marketplace to provide easily accessible information; is a service the built environment needs to duplicate to be competitive and relevant.
Twenty-two percent of people who are working age have a limitation. In which an inclusively designed environment. Provides accommodations that enable people to access and utilize the venue for employment, education, services or recreation. All generating an economic and service value for both venue owners and customers.
Although, inclusive indoor mapping will not change the physical accessibility features of interior spaces. It does maximize the availability and benefit of these features to users.
Until recently the use of 3D architectural modeling using LiDAR represented a substantial cost. But like many technical innovations the price of these scans and conversion to an opens source map data format. Now represent a cost-effective method to map and identify an interior space for accessible audio-based augmented reality apps.
LiDAR scan data is collected from site and processed via computer and converted into accurate, scaled, 3D models reflecting all physical entities/conditions. Any physical, visible object on site is recreated and included within the model (walls, doors, windows, stairs, furniture, etc.). In this format, the app developer can measure and quantify any set of points in the model with ease, and more importantly, provide accuracy for the end app user.
Gateway Navigation CCC Ltd is collaborating with Accessibuild to map interior spaces, working with O&M professionals and persons with lived experience, to create an open source map data file supporting a free inclusive audio-based indoor navigation system for all end users to efficiently, safely and independently navigate a venue and augment their understanding of the environment around them.
Contact us at partners@gnc3.com with your questions or for a quote to have your venue mapped and supported by the Accessibuild App.

LiDAR Scans: Learn More
Categories
New Product 2020 IABN Service Transportation

Remote Sighted Assistant: Inclusive Audio-Based Navigation Systems

Be My Eyes and Aira Remote Sighted Assistant

Acts of kindness with global impact. Was the genesis behind the launch of “Be My Eyes” in 2015, The app connects people who are blind or visually impaired with one of the over two million sighted volunteers worldwide via the user’s smartphone and camera.  The user can connect with a volunteer to receive assistance ranging from matching sock colour to a description of their surroundings. The global make up of the volunteer pool offers connections in over one hundred languages.

In 2018, Be My Eyes, partnered with Microsoft Accessibility Group to offer expert connections for app users requiring technology support. This program is expanding with additional technology companies.

This tech for good model has also had significant financial investment in 2019 / 2020. The quality of this service continues to expand and develop.

To get started with Be My Eyes or to find out more information click on the following link: https://www.bemyeyes.com/get-started

Aira also a remote sighted assistant service is viewed by many as the gold standard in this market segment. Rather than enlisting sighted volunteers. Aira, hires and trains agents to assist explorers (app user) in tasks ranging from reviewing written correspondence to navigating unfamiliar or complex environments. The app also utilizes the user’s smartphone sensors enabling the agent to more accurately and confidently provide wayfinding information to the app user.

The main wayfinding limitation with Aira and any remote sighted app. Is that the agents navigate interior spaces by reading signs using the smartphone or smart glass’s camera. A process that can be challenging for both user and agent. Presumably, as the technology advances and more venues provide inclusive audio-based navigation systems. Either the live agent or developing artificial intelligence will utilize digital mapping pinpointing the user’s location. Enabling greater indoor and outdoor wayfinding with a high degree of accuracy and reliability.

Currently, exterior GPS under perfect conditions offers accuracy within five metres but common signal interference within cities can reduce accuracy to only fifty metres or no signal at all. Interior systems that rely on radio frequencies, such as Wi-Fi, beacons and G5, also have limitations to accuracy due to interference variables. Good news is that recent innovations utilizing body movement is improving accuracy and consistency in digitally mapping users in interior and exterior spaces.

That being said, Using Aira to navigate situations such as queuing up for check in, security or baggage pick up; an Aira agent’s assistance at an airport can be very helpful. In addition, if your travelling companion is over editing their descriptions of your surroundings or seem exasperated with your questions. Aira’s agents are paid, trained and delighted to provide descriptions or answer your questions. A very useful feature and marital aid.

Aira is a fee-based service and even with recent promotions can be financially out of reach. Aira and partners to address this barrier of access have developed Aira Free Zones. Where persons attending a venue, can download the app to their smartphone and access the service free of charge within a geofenced area.

In Canada and Internationally, Aira Free Zones are made available free of charge at a number of airports including YVR Vancouver and YYZ Pearson Toronto; internationally, LHR London Heathrow and a number of US Airports.

Download the Aira App directly on your mobile phone from Google Play or the Apple App Store. After downloading the app, you can register as a user with your phone and email address, and you will be asked to agree to Aira’s Terms of Service. Aira will then send you a four-digit code to verify your mobile number. Upon verification you are ready to connect with an Aira agent.

You do not need to subscribe to an Aira plan to access promotions or free zones.

Both, Be My Eyes and Aira, do not replace the need for blind or visually impaired users to have good orientation and mobility training. The services are an accessibility tool and have limitations.

For more information on how remote sighted assistance can support a venues accessibility and inclusion objectives. Contact us at Gateway Navigation via email partners@gnc3.com

Go to Gateway Services
Categories
New Product 2020 IABN News

AccessiBuild: Inclusive Audio-Based Navigation Systems

Interior Mapping Platform Creating Inclusive Wayfinding Environments

The AccessiBuild indoor navigation system launched January 2020.

Editor’s Note: Like Waymap developed in the UK and US. This Canadian built product uses steps as the navigating measurement for independent wayfinding in complex or unfamiliar spaces. The platform provides user's with direction and distance information through an innovative interior mapping system.

January 7, 2020 11:00 AM By: Colleen Romaniuk

Jeff Godfrey is doing his best to ensure a barrier-free Canada. The general manager of Y4U Technologies in North Bay has created a platform to solve the issue of building accessibility for those who are blind or partially sighted.

He discovered that high unemployment rates and low incomes are persistent problems among this demographic. One of the reasons for this is inaccessible workplaces.

After Bill C-81 was passed in June 2018, Godfrey took a closer look at the accessible building models currently available to the public. He realized that he had the chance to create something, using a sustainable development model, that would address the problem that exists with building navigation.

"I saw an opportunity to innovate on the existing information and technology that we had to have a positive social impact," said Godfrey. Working with his employer, SRP Building Products, Godfrey and his business partner, Marc Rayner, started to develop AccessiBuild, an indoor navigation system geared towards the visually impaired, in 2019.

The team uses architectural software to create detailed digital maps of physical spaces. The maps are then uploaded onto the platform and made available for download. Anyone who downloads the mobile app on their phone can access the blueprints.

Although the creators are targeting those with visual impairments right now, anyone can use it. They hope to continue to adapt the software in the future for other demographics, including people who use wheelchairs or speak other languages.

Distance and bearings measurements can be customized to suit the user's needs. For example, the app can tell the user how many steps to take to the next door, and whether they should orient themselves left or right.

Using SRP's LiDAR technology, which uses light detection and ranging, the company builds 3D models of spaces that are accurate up to three millimetres. The end product is a streamlined app that makes navigating indoor spaces much easier.

The company's goal is to practice sustainable development. In other words, they want to create technology that will have a positive impact on the world socially, economically, and environmentally.

AccessiBuild is meant to be less cumbersome and expensive than existing technologies on the market. 3D models of physical spaces produce huge data sets which need to be converted and compressed to be useful to someone without access to architectural software.

Godfrey and Rayner have sought to simplify the process. AccessiBuild is free to use, which is important for those without much disposable income. Buildings will pay an initial fee to have their layouts mapped. The company has been working with various organizations and local users to test the platform.

Brian Bibeault, committee chair of the Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee in North Bay, has been acting as the company's main tester, providing valuable feedback and guidance throughout the development process. CNIB Sudbury's program lead for accessible technology, Victoria Francis, has also been on board. Godfrey has built nothing into the software that they haven't approved first. “I can't imagine the difficulties that they have as a sighted person,” said Godfrey. “We've had to make adjustments, but the feedback has been very positive and encouraging.”

The company has also opened testing to tech trainers in the Canadian Council of the Blind.

The software will be launched on Jan. 10, 2020 at 176 Lakeshore, Co-Working Offices, which also happens to be the first AccessiBuild-enabled building on the platform. The commercial space is “very inclusive and community-oriented,” so Godfrey figured it was a great place to develop this kind of software.

For more information on principles and best practices and how they can be applied to create inclusive and accessible solutions by app developers, venue managers or users. Please feel free to contact us at Gateway Navigation CCC Ltd via email: partners@gnc3.com

Categories
Innovation New Product 2020 IABN News

Waymap App: Inclusive Audio-Based Navigation Systems

One Step Forward: Advancing Sustainable and Reliable Wayfinding Technology for Persons Who Are Blind

Editors note: Gateway Navigation CCC Ltd., in support of White Cane Week 2020 we have created a series of articles highlighting information on innovations, standards, projects and advocacy related to indoor audio-based navigation Systems. Gateway Navigation provides consultant services that engage stakeholders and partners in creating human centred, well-engineered and inclusive wayfinding solutions.

White Cane Week 2020 is Sunday, February 2nd through Saturday, February 8thThis important week of community outreach and raising public awareness by the members and friends of the Canadian Council of the Blind. Shares information on the programs, services and advocacy promoting an inclusive and barrier free Canada for all persons who are blind, deaf-blind and visually impaired.

Innovation: Inclusive Audio-Based Navigation Systems

The challenge of orientation to indoor environments and Indoor Navigation for individuals with disabilities for people who are blind or visually impaired, obtaining and using information to support independent travel and finding directions to walk around public spaces and buildings is a critical requirement.

Up until now, GPS, BLE Beacons and Wi-Fi have been the main technology players in the journey to delivering reliable, accurate and economically sustainable indoor audio-based navigation networks.  Unfortunately, none have been able to break through with wide market acceptance. The good news and what we wanted to share, is the wait may be over!

Cambridge Consultants and its parent organization Altran are global leaders in Engineering and R&D services. Utilizing a recent breakthrough called Trace Technology. Cambridge Consultants has partnered with Waymap to create a unique smartphone service that assists people who are blind or visually impaired to navigate through complex indoor spaces, such as public transport hubs and universities.

Trace is a breakthrough in indoor location tracking using the tiny, low-cost inertial sensors found in smartphones, coupled with ingenious data fusion algorithms. Crucially, Trace is not reliant on external references or GPS. Cambridge Consultants developed bespoke algorithms that harness its deep understanding of inertial sensors and the mechanics of human motion, gained from extensive work in fitness technology development. The system aims to locate the user to within half a meter - a single step – a new and necessary level of accuracy needed in order to deliver reliable audio navigation.

In 2019, Waymap tested and trialed the system in Los Angeles and New York. Product launch is scheduled for some time in 2020.

Subscribe to our updates and we'll keep you looped in as this and other exciting advances to greater independence in way-finding are explored.

Visit Gateway Navigation’s Website for more information about indoor and outdoor audio-based navigation systems and our services at: www.gnc3.com or email us at partners@gnc3.com

 

Go To One News Video