UK-based navigation software developer Navevo and Thales Alenia Space have jointly developed the world’s first barrier-free navigation system for wheelchair users.
The navigation system is capable of providing a safe and reliable way of navigating through both road and pedestrian routes to reach the destination, the companies claimed.
Based on Galileo (Europe’s Global Navigation Satellite System) which is said to provide accurate personal navigation system with positional accuracy of less than one metre, the system is claimed to help users to avoid obstacles allowing them to stick to well-lit streets and roads that are paved.
The system also features turn-by-turn voice guidance and route planning as well as context-sensitive functionality such as locations for on-street disabled parking bays, disabled access car parks, toilet and leisure facilities.
European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), developed by Thales Alenia Space, provides data to the system to enable users to avoid obstacles such as stairs, ramps and grassed areas.
The system’s routing engine is fully customisable and includes a library of Points Of Interests (POI) using data from DisabledGo.
Development of the system is a part of the INCLUSION project and was partly funded by the UK GSA under the FP7 programme.
Navevo CEO Nick Caesari said: "The live demonstration in London was an important step in raising awareness at the highest level of this type of technology for the mobility impaired and we look forward to making our barrier-free navigation system a reality for modern consumers in the very near future."
Retail version of the device is expected to be in the first half of the year.
