NaviBlind

This project aims to gather data, test and launch NaviBlind, a navigation assistive system for blind and partially sighted people, in the German market.

NaviBlind launched in Denmark in 2021 to provide quick, safe, step-by-step guidance for blind people venturing to new destinations outdoors, in real time. In most cases, blind people need to plan their commute well in advance, especially if they want to go to new places or travel alone. Learning how to reach a new destination and memorising the steps in-between can require up to four weeks, including waiting time and mobility sessions. This severely limits any real opportunity for spontaneous decisions. GPS/GNSS mobile apps can help blind people plan their routes. However, the positioning accuracy of phones is approximate, and users may find themselves up to 20 metres away from where the app thinks they are, which causes risks and confusion.

Our solution provides tailored, cross-checked guides within 24 hours from a request. With our special cap, we can determine the user’s position with an accuracy of 3 to 40 cm. NaviBlind has been well-received in Denmark, and we are partnering with municipalities and civil societies to make it available to any blind person who needs it. Supported by two Berlin senate departments and by the Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Authority, we aim to create the data foundation and test our solution with local blind citizens and make NaviBlind available to public authorities and private households in Germany.