Google Maps introduces a tool that guides the blind through voice prompts
Google Maps has launched a new tool that uses voice prompts to guide blind or visually impaired people along the route they have marked in the application to go to a specific place on foot, informing them if they have left it or if they are going to cross a dangerous area, such as a road junction.
On the occasion of World Vision Day (October 10), Google has introduced the first Google Maps tool "built from the base by and for blind people", as they say in a statement. Google's business analyst, Wakana Sugiyama, a blind woman based in Tokyo who has said that with the new function "you can navigate the streets of Tokyo with more comfort and confidence" has collaborated in the project.
This new function aims to help the 36 million blind people and the 270 million who have some degree of visual impairment "to receive a detailed voice guide and new types of verbal announcements for walking tours," explains the company.
Thus, the user will have to mark his route in Google Maps to go, for example, from his home to a restaurant, and the application will guide him through voice prompts if he is on the right path and at what time he will have to Turn through the different streets. "As I make my way, Google Maps proactively tells me if I'm on the right route, the distance to the next time I have to turn and the direction I'm walking," says Sugiyama.
If the person deviates from their path, Maps will issue a voice notification indicating that they are being redirected to the correct route. In addition, this new function will also give a warning to the user when they are going to have to cross through a more dangerous place such as a crossroads, warning that they should go more carefully through that area.
To activate the tool, the user will have to access the Google Maps settings and select «Navigation». There, at the end of the list, an option will appear indicating "detailed voice guidance", under the heading "walking options", that the person will have to enable.
The notifications of this tool not only help a blind person to go from point A to point B, according to Sugiyama, but also "can give us more confidence and reaffirmation when we travel alone." Thus, he points out that his journey goes to the background and "I can focus more on what I will do in my final destination", also allowing them to explore new unknown places.
On the other hand, from Google they point out that this tool can also be useful for those people who want a “more screen-free” experience on their walking tours. "Similar to the ads you hear in zebra crossings or on a bus, everyone can benefit from it," they say.
This feature is now available for iOS and Android devices, although only in the United States, in English, and in Japan, in Japanese. Despite this, the company points out that support for additional languages and countries "is on its way".
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