We sent intrepid reporter Laura Reynolds to Pimlico station test a cool new app called Wayfindr that helps blind and partially sighted people navigate the tube.
That voice is John Briggs, and was the original voice of Siri in the UK. He's pretty recognisable over here as the voiceover of the (now cancelled) quiz show The Weakest Link : th-cam.com/video/EY0RpkINOrc/w-d-xo.html
This is so, so brilliant! Best thing is that when the app is freely available, millions who have no sight problems, but couldn't see their own finger if they poked themself in the eye, will be able to use the Underground without finding themselves stuck for the night in Epping after setting out that morning for Amersham.
There's no directions which could be distracting, you can hear trains arriving and leaving and people moving; also partially sighted people would be able to distinguish the big red doors from the white sides of the train. The beacons aren't pin point accurate so there's not a lot they can do anyway, when the tube is revamped the doors will also be in a predictable place with barriers and will be completely safe and the easiest possible to navigate (you will be able to walk along the platform and there will be raised lines going towards doors)
I really like these videos. Even though I live in NYC I sort of feel like I know what he's talking about. The subway here is so far behind advanced. I wish it were much more reliable for everyone.
Thanks guys, for such an informative and useful piece. Any idea as to whether this trial will be extended to other Tube stations,? Also would be curious to know whether TfL will be offering partially-sighted travellers - ie yours truly - any aids that could assist journeys on Tubes/buses/trams/trains within London.
+Roddy Jenkins Roddy, hey! talk to the RLSB they'll know more www.rlsb.org.uk/ - but we did hear that it might be coming to Euston station next, which is much more complicated than Pimlico!
Maybe they should tell you how much longer until the next train and where it goes and have special tiles to indicate where the doors are both on the trains and platforms. Or is there a loudspeaker that says something like "The train approaching at Platform 1 is a Victoria Line train to Brixton"?
+Muzer0 Yes, iBeacon technology uses bluetooth 4 low energy, It's a technology developed by Apple, but apps can be made on iOS and Android, as well as any other platforms. The Beacons that they were using in the video are from a company called Estimote.
I'm 4 years late, but I can't get over the fact that at 2:25 no one has mentioned the guy talking about 'all the VIEWS of the young blind people' like, did no one realise that?
Only problem with this app is that it make take up valuable battery. The screen is on the whole time. It also blocks hearing cues in the surrounding environment. In Hong Kong, there are public charm sounds for blind people at MTR stations telling them where the blind map is for them to follow.
This is great, but... what about when some idiot broadcasts a beacon signal from his phone or some dongle? One could potentially trick a blind person into thinking there's another hall to follow when in reality that's the edge of the platform or an escalator. Very dangerous accidents could follow.
Though iBeacons are cool, using something like www.indooratlas.com/ might even reduce the entry barrier to tech like this since iBeacons don't need to be installed. It would help adoption much easier for stations and other venues and help make them more accessible to the visually impaired.
They chose the most MLG text to speech service!
here an ads of that system: th-cam.com/video/mc3KmbfxuUQ/w-d-xo.html it the officially used voice.
I thing they should also make a MLG version
Madone7 it’s Pink Sheep!!!!
That voice is John Briggs, and was the original voice of Siri in the UK. He's pretty recognisable over here as the voiceover of the (now cancelled) quiz show The Weakest Link : th-cam.com/video/EY0RpkINOrc/w-d-xo.html
Turn left down the stairs. there are nine steps, equivalent to a fifteen story building.
😂😂😂
🤣🤣
I died when I heard the MLG voice
Finlay 291202 its Homie Dolphins voice
This is so, so brilliant! Best thing is that when the app is freely available, millions who have no sight problems, but couldn't see their own finger if they poked themself in the eye, will be able to use the Underground without finding themselves stuck for the night in Epping after setting out that morning for Amersham.
THE MLG VOICE! AYY LMAO
Dude the voice used to guide Laura is the same one used in most MLG videos
Thanks. I've got no idea what an MLG video might be.
So it stops directing them where there is danger that they might walk off the platform or into a moving train, or closed door.
They probably should have one just as you're entering the platform that tells you that you're on the platform
disguyiknowreturns it's rather obvious by the sound that you have arrived
There's no directions which could be distracting, you can hear trains arriving and leaving and people moving; also partially sighted people would be able to distinguish the big red doors from the white sides of the train. The beacons aren't pin point accurate so there's not a lot they can do anyway, when the tube is revamped the doors will also be in a predictable place with barriers and will be completely safe and the easiest possible to navigate (you will be able to walk along the platform and there will be raised lines going towards doors)
Meta Carpus There are tactile dots along the edge of the platform.
At some stations, there are plaforms with glass barriers between the platform and train.
Stephen Hawking is truly a helpful person.
Rip
Seems silly how it doesn't tell you where the edge of the platform is.
Because there's already a tactile surface just back from the platform edge for that.
Plus everyone can see the yellow line to tell you to stand back from the edge!
Josh Funnell Considering this video is about accommodating the visually impaired, I don't think that's the case.
Deadbeatloser22 I feel you may have been blind to the joke.
I really like these videos. Even though I live in NYC I sort of feel like I know what he's talking about. The subway here is so far behind advanced. I wish it were much more reliable for everyone.
That's cool!
Great idea! They should install them on Crossrail!
No end to human ingenuity. And this one could have no numerous uses elsewhere.
Hi guys, love the videos. When did you shoot this video? I think I saw myself in it!
Thanks guys, for such an informative and useful piece. Any idea as to whether this trial will be extended to other Tube stations,? Also would be curious to know whether TfL will be offering partially-sighted travellers - ie yours truly - any aids that could assist journeys on Tubes/buses/trams/trains within London.
+Roddy Jenkins Roddy, hey! talk to the RLSB they'll know more www.rlsb.org.uk/ - but we did hear that it might be coming to Euston station next, which is much more complicated than Pimlico!
I'm sure there's something like that on the Metro in Newcastle city centre
Maybe they should tell you how much longer until the next train and where it goes and have special tiles to indicate where the doors are both on the trains and platforms. Or is there a loudspeaker that says something like "The train approaching at Platform 1 is a Victoria Line train to Brixton"?
Haris Holmes For sighted people, there's wear that indicates where people've stepped
How did the trial do?
Was this system installed on the other Underground stations?
ooh MLG voice
Maybe a stupid question, why put it at the least used station on the Victoria Line?
To test it and see the result before going bigger.
This voice rekts scrubs
this is so helping with blind peoples. but the voice actor is pelodiphobian?
I thought this would be at kings cross
Do they use Bluetooth then?
+Muzer0 Yes, iBeacon technology uses bluetooth 4 low energy, It's a technology developed by Apple, but apps can be made on iOS and Android, as well as any other platforms. The Beacons that they were using in the video are from a company called Estimote.
I'm 4 years late, but I can't get over the fact that at 2:25 no one has mentioned the guy talking about 'all the VIEWS of the young blind people' like, did no one realise that?
Only problem with this app is that it make take up valuable battery. The screen is on the whole time. It also blocks hearing cues in the surrounding environment. In Hong Kong, there are public charm sounds for blind people at MTR stations telling them where the blind map is for them to follow.
If they're blind, the probably have screen brightness turned all the way down.
so?
Lincoln Ho | YEGventures.ca wait, MTR is the company that owns South Western Railway, the company that runs my daily train.
The speach on the phone sounds like Pink Sheep.
NuclearROBLOX *Homie Dolphin/Calbel/Graham The Christian.
#Londonist Ltd is the best
Why test it on the least used station on the V line?
Because it's safer.
What if you're deaf?
Oh wait, you can just walk to the station.
This is great, but... what about when some idiot broadcasts a beacon signal from his phone or some dongle? One could potentially trick a blind person into thinking there's another hall to follow when in reality that's the edge of the platform or an escalator. Very dangerous accidents could follow.
@Geofftech
my friend uses NatWest contactless and he does not use goggles
nobody cares
:D
Siri lol
ACE, Come on TFL Let's Put them on these in all tube Stations, Not all Travlers have 6/6(20/20) Eyesight
lol MLG ai voice
3:18 Tube map has Vauxhall Cross on it
+TheTrainGame Where?
Though iBeacons are cool, using something like www.indooratlas.com/ might even reduce the entry barrier to tech like this since iBeacons don't need to be installed. It would help adoption much easier for stations and other venues and help make them more accessible to the visually impaired.
0:59 a annoying announcement
The voice is totally boring