Google has time and again established itself as a technology organization that does business for more than just consumerism. The company is continuously bringing cutting edge technology developments to help people from all walks of life and the latest of Google’s Noble innovations is the tweak in the Google Maps that helps the visually impaired people move with ease through its enhanced voice services. Here is more about it.
Google Maps Now Uses Voice Alerts to Help Visually Impaired Users
The latest version of Google Maps comes with features through which visually impaired users can walk to their destinations securely. The voice feature keeps on reminding the users when they are going on the wrong path. It also warns them when they try to cross a busy road and instructs about the turns and moves. Google maps have made navigation easier for every user, and this feature helps the visually challenged traverse through their ways easily by giving them vocal instructions.
Alerts Users When They Are on the Wrong Path
Thus, if a user is on a wrong path, the voice assistant alerts them. If they go in the wrong way, it instructs them in the right direction. It is no less than a boon for visually disabled people, as, now, they may not need to rely on someone to help them move from one place to another. Google Maps are doing the hand-holding for them – providing them better independence with eased mobility.
Want to publish your own articles on DistilINFO Publications?
Send us an email, we will get in touch with you.
Tokyo Based Analyst Spear-headed the Noble Initiative
Wakana Sugiyama, who is a business analyst at Google Japan, spearheaded the initiative to make Google Maps more usable for blind people. Sugiyama is legally blind. She uses a walking stick to move from one place to another on her own.
According to her, the challenges visually impaired people face while walking on their own is that they need to be sure if they are on the right path. They are always concerned if they are on the right side of the road. How would they know if they have arrived at the destination? Or how would they know if they are crossing the street correctly?
Wakana is working for the last one year with the Google Maps team to create a better and more efficient navigation system for the blind people. Users in the US and Japan can turn on the feature to get voice instructions and notifications while walking. They will get regular alerts, warnings while walking, and also, a compass integrated into the app that assists in walking directions.
Usable for All
Even though the feature is created with visually challenged consumer base in mind, anyone can use the feature. Sugiyama conveyed that ” The Solution can be Simple.” The voice alerts can help users navigate easily without much screen-viewing needed. Thus walking trips can be more enjoyable and comfortable, primarily when your hands are occupied.
A Boon for Blind and Partially Blind Users
As per Sugiyama, the vocal instructions and alerts may sound ordinary to normally sighted people, but those struggling with visual imparities can benefit a lot from this. Indeed, this effort merits applauds from everyone!