Název projektu:
Tactile Map supporting the visually impaired to navigate their surroundings (10 GB 42O0 3GQZ)
Popis:
A Yorkshire based University (UK) have developed software and a user interface to translate architectural plans into tactile maps to help blind and visually impaired people to navigate their surroundings. The university seeks a commercial partner for further development and testing. The ideal partner would either be software company to support the further develop of the product or a partner that would allow the university access to a major venue to do a more extensive trial.
Most visually impaired people require a guide to navigate within a large building or a group of buildings that they are not familiar with. Braille maps are bulky and often not available. Simple tasks such as finding a specific room become impossible in modern buildings as many features are common, and signage is all visual.
In the UK the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) is placing demands on industry and the public sector to make their buildings and facilities accessible and usable by disable people, and there is a clear gap in provision of help for visually impaired individuals.
The product is a software that translates architectural drawings into tactile maps to help blind people navigate their surroundings.
The tactile map is created 'on screen' and is printed on a standard printer using 'ink swell paper'. The printed map is then passed through a heater and the black ink swells to provide a raised tactile surface.
The software easily guides a non expert CAD user to create a map with customised levels of detail. It can embed user and national preferences for tactile icons and new iconography has been developed with blind users.
They envisage this product to be used by hotels, hospitals, large organisations, museums and galleries, sports facilities, shopping centres, universities etc.
They have worked closely in the development and testing of the system with end users from the Sheffield Blind Institute.
Technical Specifications / Specific technical requirements:
Technical requirements involved the further development of the software. Currently at a prototype stage needs support to bring it up to a commercial standard with usability analysis, translation and optimisation.
Most visually impaired people require a guide to navigate within a large building or a group of buildings that they are not familiar with. Braille maps are bulky and often not available. Simple tasks such as finding a specific room become impossible in modern buildings as many features are common, and signage is all visual.
In the UK the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) is placing demands on industry and the public sector to make their buildings and facilities accessible and usable by disable people, and there is a clear gap in provision of help for visually impaired individuals.
The product is a software that translates architectural drawings into tactile maps to help blind people navigate their surroundings.
The tactile map is created 'on screen' and is printed on a standard printer using 'ink swell paper'. The printed map is then passed through a heater and the black ink swells to provide a raised tactile surface.
The software easily guides a non expert CAD user to create a map with customised levels of detail. It can embed user and national preferences for tactile icons and new iconography has been developed with blind users.
They envisage this product to be used by hotels, hospitals, large organisations, museums and galleries, sports facilities, shopping centres, universities etc.
They have worked closely in the development and testing of the system with end users from the Sheffield Blind Institute.
Technical Specifications / Specific technical requirements:
Technical requirements involved the further development of the software. Currently at a prototype stage needs support to bring it up to a commercial standard with usability analysis, translation and optimisation.
Požadavky na partnera:
Requested Cooperation: Technical consultancy, Joint further development, Joint Venture Agreement, Financial Resources
- Type of partner sought:
A commercial partner for further development and testing.
Either a software company to further develop the product or a partner that would allow us access to a major venue to do a more extensive trial.
- Specific area of activity of the partner:
Software development, or funding support
- Task to be performed by the partner sought:
Research support and organise and manage an extensive trial of min 100 blind people. The university will develop the maps and provide all the material required for the trial. They will also liaise with the regional Blind Institute to set up, monitor the trial and then analyse the results.
- Type of partner sought:
A commercial partner for further development and testing.
Either a software company to further develop the product or a partner that would allow us access to a major venue to do a more extensive trial.
- Specific area of activity of the partner:
Software development, or funding support
- Task to be performed by the partner sought:
Research support and organise and manage an extensive trial of min 100 blind people. The university will develop the maps and provide all the material required for the trial. They will also liaise with the regional Blind Institute to set up, monitor the trial and then analyse the results.
Obchodní firma/fyzická osoba:
Technologické inovační centrum s.r.o.
Sídlo/Místo podnikání:
Vavrečkova 5262
760 01 Zlín
760 01 Zlín
Kontaktní osoba:
Lenka Kostelníková
Email:
Telefon:
+420 739 570 792
