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Cities Unlocked

Be inspired

We estimate that 4 million people will be living with sight loss in the UK by 2050. We need to better understand the problem from the individuals' perspective and identify integrated solutions to make cities enjoyable for everyone.

Challenge

Watch our short films and find out more about the everyday challenges of people with sight loss and the remarkable ways which they are forced to overcome them.

Demonstrator

Discover how we developed, trialled and tested our 3D soundscape technology on a route from Reading to London.

Opportunities

Learn about the emerging opportunities for city planners, architects, technologists and policy makers the world over.

51 articles

Topics: Hear, Move, Touch
Research state: Opportunity

Horizon scan, innovation. Raynes Tacdots tactile paving

Designed by Raynes Associates, Tacdots are easy to install and easy to use tactile wayfinding dots. The dots can be used for inside and…

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Topics: Move, Touch
Research state: Opportunity

Horizon scan, innovation. Tactile sight wayfinding belt

Developed by Tactile Sight, a spinoff of the University of Waterloo, the Tactile Belt functions much as a route planner such as Google…

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Topics: Hear, Interact
Research state: Opportunity

Horizon scan, innovation. Studio weave lullaby factory radio frequency installation

Lullaby Factory was set up at Great Ormond Street Hospital to create a calming environment for patients. It is an art installation that…

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Topics: Interchange
Research state: Demonstrator

Boarding the train

As Kate exits the lift she is told her platform is number 10, which is seven metres to her right. As she walks towards it she is told what…

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Topics: Emotional, Explore
Research state: Demonstrator

Enjoying the journey

The train heads into London Paddington. Kate receives information about the route and is told that she’s passing Windsor Castle. The…

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Topics: Touch
Research state: Opportunity

Horizon scan, innovation. Sight line safer streetworks for all

Streetworks as temporary obstacles in one’s (familiar) environment leave blind people disoriented. This project aims to make…

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Topics: Hear
Research state: Opportunity

Horizon scan, innovation. BAT ‘K’ sonar cane add-on appliance

The ‘K’ Sonar can be clipped on to an existing cane to help detect obstacles within a 5 metre range through the use of…

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Topics: Interact, Touch
Research state: Opportunity

Visioning workshop, opportunity theme: Wearables

The commercial potential of this space will drive developer innovation, producing cheaper and more powerful devices that people can use to…

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Topics: See, Touch
Research state: Opportunity

Horizon scan, innovation. Tactile+PlusTranslucent touchscreen buttons

These buttons were primary designed and developed for gaming purposes. But they could also be useful in creating a more inclusive phone or…

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Topics: Find, See
Research state: Opportunity

Horizon scan, innovation. Ralston & Bau’s storehagen atrium colour wayfinding

This system in a Norwegian government building (Storehagen), identifies the location of different facilities and tenants within the…

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Topics: Explore, See
Research state: Opportunity

Horizon scan, innovation. BrainPort device to see with the tongue

Sunglasses are worn by the user with a small digital video camera placed in the centre to capture visuals of the person’s…

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Topics: Find, Move
Research state: Opportunity

Horizon scan, innovation. BlindMaps braille interface for smartphones

Andrew Spitz, Markus Schmeiduch and Ruben van der Vleuten took part in a 36 hour project at the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design…

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