Based on the shared data, the app plays voice files indicating the distance between the user and the nearest traffic light.
SEOUL, Jan. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – Korean software developer Sonist has launched Community Mapping, a utility app designed to help blind pedestrians navigate their way through city streets.
The app is very simple to use. When the app is opened, it automatically scans the area near the user on GPS, and collects visual and text information on traffic lights provided by other non-visually impaired users.
Anybody using the app can upload pictures of traffic lights, and the data is automatically collected and shared in real time with visually impaired users. Based on the shared data, the app plays voice files indicating the distance between the user and the nearest traffic light.
Any users uploading traffic light data in any form are compensated with discount coupons for GS25 convenient stores. Currently, GS25 is the only sponsor for Sonist’s app. The coupons can be used right away in any GS25 stores. Sonist is planning to create a social platform growing out of a promise to satisfy mutual interests between users.
Kim Kyung-Tae, CEO of Sonist, said that he expects Community Mapping to contribute to building a safe social environment for the visually impaired, and to promote the growth of large corporations and SMEs together. He also said that existing navigation apps in Korea only provide information in visual data, limiting their use to blind pedestrians. Community Mapping provides significant progress on this front, featuring an audio output system.
By J.W. Choi (summerchoi@koreabizwire.com)
