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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.

18 results

Topics: Explore, Interact, Move
Research state: Opportunity

Visioning workshop, opportunity: Street Furniture

Existing street furniture and amenities can be a hindrance to the blind and partially sighted. Shared spaces and open streets can disrupt…

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Topics: Explore, Interact
Research state: Challenge

Distinctive and predictable smells in the urban environment can work as useful landmarks

From fish to fried chicken people with sight loss use all sorts of smells as navigational cues. Like any other landmark for a smell to be…

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Topics: Interact
Research state: Challenge

Technology can be transformative but has to be appropriate

Many people with sight loss are aware of the potential of technology to enhance their independence and feel that they need to work to stay…

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Topics: Interact
Research state: Challenge

Advice on developing technology

Several participants are excited about the potential for near field technology to help them make journeys but they have some advice for…

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Topics: Interact
Research state: Demonstrator

Buying lunch

Always thinking ahead, Kate stops off at Tesco to buy lunch. She uses the technology to do a quick sweep of the store and get a sense of…

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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: 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, 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: 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: 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, Planning, Touch
Research state: Opportunity

Horizon scan, innovation. Tacmap tactile interactive wayfinding device

This design proposes a device that stores pre-set tactile personal routes that are accessed through a levelling display interface. The user…

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