Tom Pey is the founder and CEO of Waymap, the world’s only navigation app that guides you both indoors and outdoors.
In recent years, we have all become more dependent on technology to negotiate daily life, and this is even more true for getting around cities. Navigation apps are essential for city life, but the trouble is that they do not work for everyone and do not work indoors or underground for anyone.
This is especially true for the many people in the world living with sight loss, who are so often excluded from social, economic and cultural life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019, an estimated 253 million people worldwide have a visual impairment. This includes people with moderate to severe visual impairments, as well as those who are considered legally blind.
Tom Pey, who has been registered blind for more than 20 years, has set out to change the world of accessible navigation with his company Waymap.
Waymap
Tom Pey and his team at Waymap have created the world’s only navigation app that guides you both indoors and outdoors. Accurate up to 1m, with no signals required, the team at Waymap believe it will change lives immeasurably – not just for those with a sight loss condition but for their family, friends and colleagues.
Waymap emerged from experimentation in audio navigation in the UK by the Royal Society for Blind Children, alongside breakthrough advancements in indoor location technology.
The result is a team with a deep understanding of the navigation needs of all people and a revolutionary, high-technology approach. Tom Pey said:
“Our system and approach has been tried and tested in cities across North America and Europe. We are ready to make the shared aspiration of inclusive, accessible cities a reality.
This new technology that has the potential to revolutionise the lives of people who are blind or partially sighted.
It is an app that provides audio navigation assistance for people with visual impairments, allowing them to navigate unfamiliar environments with greater ease and independence.”
With Waymap, people who are blind or partially sighted can travel more confidently and safely, opening up new possibilities for them to engage with the world around them.
How will Waymap change the lives of people who are blind and partially sighted?
Greater independence: For people who are blind or partially sighted, navigating unfamiliar environments can be a major challenge. Waymap provides audio navigation assistance that allows them to travel independently, without relying on others for help. This can give them a greater sense of freedom and independence, allowing them to explore new places and engage in activities that they may have previously thought were out of reach.
Improved safety: Waymap can help people who are blind or partially sighted navigate busy and potentially dangerous environments with greater safety. The app alerts users to obstacles in their path and provides turn-by-turn directions, helping them to avoid hazards and make informed decisions about where to go and what to do.
Enhanced socialisation: For people with visual impairments, socialising can be challenging because they may be hesitant to go to unfamiliar places or participate in new activities. With Waymap, they can feel more confident about venturing out into the world and engaging with others. This can lead to greater socialisation and improved mental health.
Increased accessibility: Waymap has the potential to make many environments more accessible for people who are blind or partially sighted. With the app, they can navigate public transportation, museums, and other public spaces with greater ease. This can help to break down barriers and increase inclusivity for people with visual impairments.
Greater empowerment: Waymap empowers people who are blind or partially sighted to take control of their own lives and travel with greater confidence. By providing them with the tools and resources they need to navigate the world around them, Waymap can help to level the playing field and create a more equitable society for people with visual impairments.
Waymap is a game-changing technology that has the potential to significantly improve the lives of people who are blind or partially sighted.
By providing them with greater independence, safety, socialisation, accessibility, and empowerment, Waymap can help to create a more inclusive and equitable world for people with visual impairments.
As the technology continues to evolve and improve, it is likely that Waymap will become an increasingly essential tool for people with visual impairments, helping them to live more fulfilling and meaningful lives.
Find out more on Waymap.
