Navigating public transport systems presents a significant challenge for individuals with visual impairments due to unclear signage and real-time travel updates. Despite advancements in transportation apps, these solutions often fail to address the complexities of navigating transit hubs for those with sight impairments. Solora, a startup founded by students of University College London (UCL), aims to change this with its RideOnTime app. This application offers real-time translation of transit signages into visual and audio formats, thereby facilitating easier navigation for the visually impaired.
Historically, various initiatives have been launched to address accessibility in public transport. Services like Be My Eyes have made significant strides in enhancing accessibility for the visually impaired by connecting them with volunteers for assistance. However, these efforts have primarily focused on non-real-time environments, creating a gap that Solora’s RideOnTime app seeks to fill. By leveraging artificial intelligence to provide immediate updates and clear instructions, Solora builds upon these past solutions to better support its users in real time.
How Does RideOnTime App Benefit Users?
With RideOnTime, visually impaired users can receive real-time, accessible information through their smartphones by simply pointing their device at transit signboards. This streamlined process eliminates the challenges associated with mainstream transit apps, which can be difficult to navigate for visually impaired individuals due to lagging updates and poor usability. The app employs artificial intelligence to accurately and quickly translate displayed information into accessible formats.
What Insights Has Solora Gained from User Testing?
Developed with input from visually impaired users, Solora prioritized real-world testing to refine its technology. The startup collaborated with Vision Ability, an East London nonprofit, to collect feedback in practical settings. A diverse group of users provided insights and validation during these trials, confirming the app’s effectiveness in enhancing independence when navigating public transport.
“By learning about her daily transit challenges, we identified LED signboards as a major issue,” stated CEO Jun Bak about working with a co-design user with Stargardt disease.
Currently available as a pilot on the UK App Store, RideOnTime boasts approximately 50 active users. Solora continues to gather analytics to enhance app functionality and expand user engagement.
Addressing public transport accessibility is essential under UK laws such as the Equality Act 2010, emphasizing the need for reasonable adjustments in public service vehicles. However, Solora believes there remains a significant underserved segment whom existing services do not adequately support.
“We’re continuously monitoring performance through analytics and recordings to measure accuracy and optimize further,” Bak explained.
Looking forward, Solora plans to expand its impact within the UK and potentially across Europe. Discussions are underway with transport authorities for potential integration, and there is interest in exploring EU mobility funding for wider application.
Building on the knowledge and experiences derived from user feedback, the startup is determined to broaden its appeal to users with various sight impairments. By developing new features such as AI-guided detection, Solora aims to accommodate the needs of a broader demographic, enabling even greater independence for the sight-impaired community in transportation settings.
