Promo of the Beacon tech (via indoors)
I love technology that actually helps people. I had almost lost all hope after seeing a selfie toaster, but humanity has won over my heart again. Indoo.rs and San Francisco Airport are collaborating together to realize the first beacon system to help the blind navigate around the airport.
The technology was first demonstrated at the San Francisco Airport on July 31, 2014 with help from The Lighthouse for the Blind. There are currently about 300 beacons installed in the San Francisco Airport which communicate via Bluetooth to any nearby smartphones running the app. The app currently only runs on Apple iOS, but is expected to have an Android version released soon.
As a smartphone user walks through the terminal, nearby beacons give information about where the user is and what facilities are available in the area. The app uses Apple Voiceover technology to allow blind users to ask for directions to areas of interest, like the nearest bathroom. Beacons are also supposed to alert users as to when they are approaching a security checkpoint and pull up their boarding pass information automatically.
What is the best part? The technology is very affordable and seemingly easy to replicate, but it makes a huge impact for the blind community. Each beacon costs about $20 and runs on battery power. However, the batteries are expected to last for 4 years! While this technology is already made available for the blind community, SFO and Indoo.rs expect to continue developing the app and make it available to everyone. In May, London's Heathrow Airport is testing its competing technology created by Estimote using Apple's iBeacon technology.
Whichever technology becomes adopted first is less important than airports adopting it soon - making life easier for the blind. I already find it hard to navigate in busy and expansive airports, I can't possibly imagine what it's like to navigate around an airport blind! Kudos to Indoo.rs and SFO for seizing an opportunity to create some high tech innovations that bring wonderful opportunities into people's lives.
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