Date started: 2014-2015
Website: www.wayfindr.net
Twitter: @WayfindrStd
Location: London

Non-profit organisation Wayfindr has developed Open Standard, a fully public toolkit designed to address the global challenge of independent navigation for people with sight loss.

A successful, high-profile trial at Euston station in 2015 used BLE beacons to guide the vision impaired through its complex transport network by transmitting audio navigation through the user’s own smartphone.

A partnership between RLSB and tech studio ustwo, Wayfindr works collaboratively to create impact. The Wayfindr community is made up of research institutions, software developers, venue owners and vision impairment charities all committed to knowledge sharing.

This year, Wayfindr will trial other urban settings, retail environments and hospitals. Its ultimate vision is to keep removing barriers to employment and community engagement, to create a truly inclusive society for the 285m vision impaired worldwide.