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…

Read the full article

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,…

Read the full article

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…

Read the full article

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…

Read the full article

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…

Read the full article

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…

Read the full article

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…

Read the full article

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…

Read the full article

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…

Read the full article

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…

Read the full article

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…

Read the full article

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…

Read the full article