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Voice-guided Mobile Phones To Complement Guide Dogs

Date:
August 19, 2004
Source:
Tekes (National Technology Agency Of Finland)
Summary:
The new system allows users direct and be directed by their mobile phones. The unique system, developed by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, especially provides relief for the everyday life of the visually impaired, but offers interesting opportunities also for people with normal eyesight.
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The new system allows users direct and be directed by their mobile phones. The unique system, developed by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, especially provides relief for the everyday life of the visually impaired, but offers interesting opportunities also for people with normal eyesight.

The benefit of the guidance system is the introduction of a voice interface for a normal mobile phone. The system is of particular help when using public transportation, but it also contains a great number of other functions and data services.

The guidance system is constantly in touch with public and real time databases: bus, train and tram routes and schedules, information about roadworks, news and weather services. The system helps in planning the trip and guides to the next stop. It also informs of the arrival of the vehicle and tells where to get off. With the help of satellite positioning, a visually impaired person can also store walking routes that have already been tested and proven good. The system is not a replacement for the white cane or the guide dog, but serves as a complement and opens up new possibilities for the visually impaired.

This guidance system, developed by VTT, is currently undergoing a test run. The system can already utilise the walking and public transportation routes of the road works database of the city of Helsinki’s construction office. The voice interface is currently available only in Finnish.

Read more from VTT’s website (http://www.vtt.fi/vtt/new/).

Additional information from the project's website (http://www.vtt.fi/tuo/53/projektit/noppa).


Story Source:

Materials provided by Tekes (National Technology Agency Of Finland). Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

Tekes (National Technology Agency Of Finland). "Voice-guided Mobile Phones To Complement Guide Dogs." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 19 August 2004. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/08/040815233803.htm>.
Tekes (National Technology Agency Of Finland). (2004, August 19). Voice-guided Mobile Phones To Complement Guide Dogs. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/08/040815233803.htm
Tekes (National Technology Agency Of Finland). "Voice-guided Mobile Phones To Complement Guide Dogs." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/08/040815233803.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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