By Max Christian, 7 June, 2012
Forum
iOS and iPadOS
Hello,
I've been working on a way to do accurate indoor "GPS" on the iPhone and iPad, just for the challenge of it really. However, since releasing the app I've begun to wonder if I could make it useful for vision impaired users.
The app, which is called "Indoor GPS", is not suitable for vision impaired users at the moment (it doesn't even do VoiceOver properly) so I'm not suggesting anyone tries it yet. But I'd be really interested to hear whether people think it has potential.
The underlying technology can track the device's movement in 2D (not up or down) to an accuracy of a couple of centimetres. Although the effect is like GPS, technically it is completely different - it uses the device's gyroscope and accelerometer.
The idea is that a vision impaired user could select a pre-recorded route from a list such as "Kitchen sink to front door". The device would then issue audio instructions such as "Right 90" meaning turn right 90 degrees, and "Forward 3" meaning take three steps forward. These instructions would be created on-the-fly depending on where the user has actually ended up, just like a car GPS does. So, for example, it's not dependent on the user turning exactly 90 degrees as it would ask them to turn a bit more or a bit less if necessary to keep them close to the pre-recorded route.
I know next-to-nothing about the needs of vision impaired users, so this may be of no use at all, but would welcome any feedback on the idea negative or positive.
Thank you,
Max
Comments
Definitely Yes
this could be very useful for
Indoor GPS app! Yes!
Indoor GPS
Interesting
I think this would be very
Very useful!
Absolutely!
Hello Max, Definately
Indoor GPS
Thanks so much for your interest!!!!
Thanks
Indoor Navigation? Great idea!
Indoor GPS app
Indoor GPS
Indoor GPS
Indoor Navigation Including Public Transportation Buildings
Indoor navigation app
yes very useful
Interesting but
I think this app sounds interesting and perhaps could be useful in some circumstances. First off there is no need what so ever for this in the homes of blind people, I also wonder how much use there would be even in large buildings. It sounds like one has to create the root themselves. If this is the case then it would not be very beneficial in places like airports in which you only rarely find yourself in for a brief period of time. It is situations like that where this app would be most useful if you could use this app because other places like office buildings in which you spend a lot of time would normally just be learned by the individual. There for I think this app would only truly shine if roots could already be created and used by everyone, that way the buildings that individuals don't spend enough time in to bother learning could be easily traveled, which would be great
App needed for home and familiar surroundings
I'm a bit late to this thread
Wondering...
woops; I didn't even look at
i am a blind ios user who would like this app
for the developer
Indoor GPS app and RFID tags
A good idea that has potential
A good idea that has potential
Indoor GPS