BlindMaps is an R&D project that aims to come up with navigation aids to make it easier and safer for blind people to get around in cities they’re unfamiliar with. The approach: not a system providing verbal output, but rather one that uses a Braille-script-type touchscreen supported by popular online maps and the capabilities of a smartphone.

Schmeiduch, Spitz and van der Vleuten are this year’s recipients of [the next idea] voestalpine Art and Technology Grant to enable them to further develop this promising approach during a three-month residency at the Ars Electronica Futurelab.