Categories: Technology

Braille Map iPhone Accessory Guides The Blind Through Touch

Visually impaired people have limitations when it comes to experiencing a smartphone. Even more limited is their ability to use the many different useful apps available. Maps have become a vital part of most smartphone models, and that is something that has created a revolution within GPS navigation technology. Now everyone can enjoy what it’s like to almost never get lost when traveling, except the visually impaired. A new iPhone accessory aims to make braille maps available for visually impaired iPhone users.

The people over at Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design have come up with an iPhone accessory that enables blind people to use maps as well. It’s a really nifty iPhone add-on that could really change the way visually impaired people find their way around cities. The braille device works in real time and continuously updates the route on the braille device.

The device is connected to the iPhone either directly or via Bluetooth, so the visually impaired don’t have to walk around with the iPhone in their hand as well. The concept was “dreamed up” during a 36-hour creative brainstorming project, and it is called Blind Maps. The device doesn’t only guide them to their desired destination, but it also listens to the environment to make sure people don’t end up in the wrong place or in trouble.

So far the project is just in a concept stage, but if and once realized, this project could mean increased freedom for anyone who’s visually impaired. The braille map device itself is a basic dynamic braille construction, and with the right technology under its hood, it could change braille maps forever. The masterminds behind this braille map device are Andrew Spitz, Markus Schmeiduch and Ruben van der Vleuten. I hope they fulfill the idea and make it into a widespread success. Braille map devices are not exactly a common technology, and that is exactly the reason why they should make sure this braille map device gets realized.

Braille Map iPhone Accessory Device

Richard Darell

Richard Darell is the founder and CEO of Bit Rebels, a multifaceted online news outlet that reports daily on the latest developments in technology, social media, design and everything geek. Today this media entity welcomes more than 3.5 million unique visitors per month and is considered the go-to place for people in constant motion. As an Internet entrepreneur, he is dedicated to constantly trying to develop new ways to bring content faster and closer to the end user in a more streamlined way. His excitement for statistics has allowed him to further develop systems that continuously produce accurate and fast-paced analytics to better optimize the approach by which Bit Rebels presents news and content. His graphic design background has proven to be an important tool when designing new systems and features for Bit Rebels since the development of solid and stable code depends entirely on their structure and implemented procedures. Richard currently resides in Stockholm, Sweden and directs the Bit Rebels offices in both Stockholm and Atlanta. You can reach Richard at richard@bitrebels.com