New Zealand Companies Adroit and CSLi Partner to Enable Infrastructure for Visually Impaired
Monday 30 September 2019, 4:33PM
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When it comes to Internet of Things design, there are so many applications for creating accessible spaces across the city. New Zealand companies Adroit and CSLi recognised this opportunity, and have been working on a technology called Beasmart, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) smart beacon that exceeds the capabilities of existing public infrastructure methods for the visually impaired. This system is approved by the Blind Foundation of New Zealand, and integrates seamlessly with an existing app—BlindSquare—that is used by visually impaired people all over the country.
Beasmart is a dynamic beacon, the first of its kind, that can be integrated into both private and public infrastructures. Unlike the basic beacons that are currently in place, Beasmart can interact with a user rather than simply broadcasting information, allowing for a variety of incredibly helpful functions. As Adroit founder and CEO Ulrich Frerk said, “most of the things that are similar are using what I call a ‘passive’ beacon”.
Beasmart’s difference is in its dynamic, two-way nature. The 28-metre range on each beacon allows anyone using BlindSquare within that radius to benefit from its proximity. It can use audio tunes to call users to their destination, deliver bus information when someone using the app draws near to a bus station and triggers the action, or even allow the person to “push” a pedestrian crossing button using the app. Furthermore, it alerts them to when it goes green, allowing for maximum safety.
If the world embraces IoT software development like this to create accessible spaces for everyone, the possibilities are truly endless. Automated systems with low-battery usage beacons can alter the world one step at a time for anyone dealing with a visual impairment, sensory sensitivities and mobility issues, and it’s time to bring it into the spotlight.
If you’d like to learn more about Beasmart, or the IoT consultant Adroit, follow the link below for more information.