New technology for the blind | abroad

“There is a lot of information written in public places that are not accessible to blind and visually impaired people, such as bus stops where you need to know that buses 4 and 8 will pass from that stop,” said Carol Lagrange, co-director. For Marketing and Communications from SZB, on Monday to Keystone-SDA News Agency.

The organization became aware of a technology from Spain called NaviLens. With an app, the QR codes can be read from a distance of up to five or six meters and from different angles. The application then reproduces the information stored in the code via the audio output.

successful test

Since last summer, SZB has been testing the technology at its three locations in Lausanne, St Gallen and Linzburg. The first assessment is “very promising”: “The technology works and enables routing in the public space,” says Lagrange, who hopes companies, especially in the public transport sector, will be interested in this application.

She added that the application and installation of these color codes in public places “will greatly help in the mobility of the blind and visually impaired.” Other areas, especially hospitals, could equip themselves with it. In Spain, museums have gained momentum, in England, for example, cereal boxes can be found to indicate the contents.