COOL BLIND TECH

YOUR SOURCE FOR THE BEST ASSISTIVE TECH NEWS, REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS FROM TOP BLIND AND LOW VISION EXPERTS. AN ENTERTAINING AND TRUSTWORTHY DISCUSSION ON EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

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Maker of Autonomous Personal Electric Vehicle is Conducting Trials at Airport

Airports around the world may soon be easier to navigate for travelers with reduced mobility, thanks to a high-tech wheelchair being tested in Winnipeg.

The Japanese company WHILL, has begun the second round of trials for an autonomous wheelchair that takes people from check-in to their departure gate, then returns on its own to a recharging station.

The first round of trials were conducted earlier this year at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates. read more

AI Technology Assists Blind and Visually Impaired travelers Navigate Canadian Airport

Travelers who are blind or have low vision now have access to Aira, an assistive technology when they visit Winnipeg Richardson International Airport.

Through a mobile app or smart glasses, Aira connects users to Aira agents. Those agents are able to view a user’s environment through mobile phone cameras and describe objects, read signage, provide navigation, take and label photos and more.

In a news release, the Winnipeg Airport Authority said Richardson International is only the second airport in Canada to offer the technology. read more

Airport Introduces Ramble Tag for Assisting Blind and Partially Sighted Passengers

Bristol Airport, UK, has launched a new solution to assist blind and partially sighted passengers while at the airport.

Working in partnership with OCS, the airport’s special assistance partner, the airport has deployed the Ramble Tag, which has been specifically designed for blind and partially sighted people to improve the experience of guided walking.

The Ramble Tag is a lightweight harness worn by a guide on their upper arm, offering a comfortable handle as an alternative to linking arms. According to Bristol Airport, the product is comfortable, weather proof and uses the latest design technology. read more

Vancouver’s Airport is First to Get Gold-Level Accessibility Rating

Vancouver International Airport (YVR)has taken several measures to ensure the airport can be navigated by all of its employees, passengers and partners. And, on Wednesday, YVR was recognized for its efforts with the Rick Hansen Foundation’s “accessibility certified gold” rating.

This recognition makes YVR the first airport to receive the rating and marked Vancouver’s airport as the highest rated building in the foundation’s certification program.

Richmond’s own Rick Hansen was at the airport on Wednesday to talk about its’ accessibility initiatives. read more

Seattle Launches Assistive Technology for Blind and Low Vision Travelers

The Port of Seattle is launching a new pilot program to help people who are blind and low vision access a new assistive technology to safely and independently use Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Partnering with Aira, Sea-Tac will be the first airport on the west coast and among the first airports in the nation to join the Aira Airport Network, and use this wearable smart glasses technology.

During a press conference March 15, the Port announced a pilot program that will cover the cost for any travelers using the Aira service which connects people who are blind and low vision to certified, live agents via smart glasses and a mobile app to navigate every step of the airport, from the curb and check-in area all the way to the gate. read more

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