Voice-guided Mobile Phones To Complement Guide Dogs

The benefit of the guidance system is the introduction of a voice interface for a normal mobile phone. The system is of particular help when using public transportation, but it also contains a great number of other functions and data services.

The guidance system is constantly in touch with public and real time databases: bus, train and tram routes and schedules, information about roadworks, news and weather services. The system helps in planning the trip and guides to the next stop. It also informs of the arrival of the vehicle and tells where to get off. With the help of satellite positioning, a visually impaired person can also store walking routes that have already been tested and proven good. The system is not a replacement for the white cane or the guide dog, but serves as a complement and opens up new possibilities for the visually impaired.

This guidance system, developed by VTT, is currently undergoing a test run. The system can already utilise the walking and public transportation routes of the road works database of the city of Helsinki’s construction office. The voice interface is currently available only in Finnish.

Read more from VTT’s website (http://www.vtt.fi/vtt/new/).

Additional information from the project's website (http://www.vtt.fi/tuo/53/projektit/noppa).