Cities Unlocked

Topics: Overall

Research state: Opportunity

Finding opportunities; horizon scans and visioning workshops

We have endeavoured to understand the opportunities for Future Cities to be better designed for people with sight loss. We have undertaken…

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Topics: Overall

Research state: Challenge

Understanding the challenge

Many people with sight loss are too anxious to leave home alone Getting around cities is a nerve-wracking experience for too many people,…

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Topics: Overall

Research state: Demonstrator

3D soundscape technology enabled journey - results

Based on the research you can explore in ‘Challenges’, and equipped with a model of well being developed by Guide Dogs we…

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Topics: Overall, Planning

Research state: Challenge

Navigating with a mental map relies on things being where they are expected to be. When they are not significant difficulties can arise

Above almost anything else people with sight loss rely on predictability in their environment. Carefully constructed routes only work when…

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Topics: Overall, People Power

Research state: Challenge

Certain behaviors by members of the public can have a significant negative impact people with sight loss when travelling

From cycling on the pavement to pushing in front of them, there is a perception amongst some people with sight loss that members of the…

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Topics: Find, On Transport

Research state: Challenge

Many people with sight loss find it difficult to identify unoccupied seats which makes travel on busses and trains more difficult

Moving through a potentially crowded train carriage or bus and finding an unoccupied seat can be present huge problems for people with…

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Topics: Explore, Find

Research state: Challenge

Features of the environment that were not intended as navigation infrastructure are often still used as useful and important landmarks by people with sight loss

If a feature of the environment is detectable by them and always in the same place it can be used as a navigational landmark for someone…

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Topics: Find, Interchange, On Transport

Research state: Challenge

Finding and opening the doors, dealing with the gap between the train and platform and getting aboard can all be challenges for people with sight loss

Once someone has reached the correct platform and identified the train they must find the doors and get on. Predicting where the doors will…

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Topics: Hear, Overall

Research state: Opportunity

Visioning workshop, opportunity: Hearing the City

Many partially sighted people suffer from a lack of information about their surroundings or situation. Often they rely on the descriptions…

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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: 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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Topics: Find, Hear, See

Research state: Opportunity

Horizon scan, innovation. TfL travel support card

TfL’s Travel Support Card is customisable through entering one’s specific details regarding the help required. This could be a…

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