Cities Unlocked

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: Explore, Hear

Research state: Challenge

Distinctive and predictable sounds in the urban environment are key source of navigational information

Changes in the sound of traffic, the sounds of different trains or of a shouting market stall holder are all examples of useful and…

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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: 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: 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: 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: 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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Topics: Planning, See

Research state: Opportunity

Horizon scan, innovation. Ian Hamilton/232 Studios Colourblind Tube Map

232 Studios won a TfL competition that aimed to improve navigation information accessibility for colour blind people. The developed maps…

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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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Topics: Explore, Hear, See, Touch

Research state: Opportunity

Horizon scan, innovation. Touch sight camera for the blind

The touch sight camera was designed to give blind and partially sighted users the opportunity to record their memories. The user holds the…

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Topics: Hear

Research state: Opportunity

Horizon scan, innovation. Barclay’s talking ATMs

Before the introduction of Talking ATM’s, blind and visually impaired customers were not able to use an ATM independently. Prompted…

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Topics: Hear, See

Research state: Opportunity

Horizon scan, innovation. Visual and acoustic information on public buses in Madrid

This project led to the installation of visual and audio information devices that help the visually impaired and the hearing impaired…

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