GoodMaps Offers Blind People Indoor Navigation
In this episode of Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece welcome Neil Barnfather, Chief Commercial Officer at GoodMaps, to discuss the company’s innovative approach to indoor navigation. Neil explains how GoodMaps is transforming the way blind and visually impaired users navigate complex indoor environments, using AI-driven technology that surpasses traditional GPS-based solutions.
GoodMaps began in 2019 as a project by the American Printing House for the Blind, aimed at solving the challenges of indoor navigation. “The first iteration of the app, GoodMaps Explore, was released in 2020,” Neil explains. “Now, the app we’re promoting is simply called GoodMaps, with ‘Indoor Navigation’ as the tagline.” He clarifies that while the app focuses on navigating indoor spaces, it can also cover some outdoor areas that have been mapped, such as public plazas and transport hubs like London Euston Station.
One of the key features of GoodMaps is its ability to function where traditional GPS fails. “GPS can’t penetrate buildings,” Neil explains, highlighting how GoodMaps uses LIDAR scanning and machine learning to create highly accurate indoor maps. The app relies on a combination of computer vision and the phone’s built-in sensors to help users determine their precise location and orientation. “You launch the GoodMaps app, show your phone’s rear camera to the surroundings, and within one to two seconds, we pinpoint where you are,” Neil describes.
Neil also addresses the importance of autonomy versus assistance. “Passenger assistance is helpful but also limiting,” he says. “If you want to go shopping or grab a coffee before heading to your platform or gate, that isn’t always possible with assistance services.” With GoodMaps, users can independently explore indoor environments, discovering shops, cafes, and services that they may not have known existed. “If you can’t see something, you don’t know it’s there,” Neil emphasizes, highlighting how GoodMaps benefits not just blind users but also sighted individuals who need better indoor navigation.
While GoodMaps is already being deployed in multiple locations, including railway stations and shopping centers, Neil acknowledges that the biggest challenge is getting more businesses to adopt it. “There’s a cost to venues, and some businesses are hesitant,” he explains. However, he stresses that GoodMaps is more affordable than alternative solutions like Bluetooth beacons or Wi-Fi positioning systems. “We charge businesses based on square footage, but for end users, the app is completely free.”
As the discussion wraps up, Neil encourages listeners to explore GoodMaps and provide feedback. “We’re constantly improving, and we want to hear from users. You can even advocate for venues near you to adopt GoodMaps using our Advocate Toolkit.” The conversation highlights how technology can create more inclusive spaces, giving blind and visually impaired users the freedom to navigate indoor environments independently.
GoodMaps is available for both iPhone and Android. The hosts encourage listeners to download it and experience the future of accessible indoor navigation.
Catch Double Tap every weekday on AMI-audio across Canada, on your favorite podcast app, and on YouTube.
Keywords: GoodMaps, indoor navigation, blind navigation, accessible technology, assistive technology, LIDAR mapping, computer vision, AI navigation, accessibility, GPS alternative, independent travel, rail station navigation, airport navigation, visually impaired travel, Neil Barnfather, Steven Scott, Shaun Preece, AMI-audio, Double Tap