Global Positioning Systems

The champion for GPS for the blind in the United States is Mike May, formerly the Vice President at Arkenstone Corporation in California. Mike now heads his own company called the Sendero Group. Arkenstone provides the geographic software for blind GPS; it is called Atlas Speaks.

Many people recognize the connection between GPS development and the benefits such a system could provide for the sophisticated blind traveler. Therefore, more and more references can be seen in the popular press, and numerous inventors and researchers are exploring the opportunities. Expect a proliferation of approaches to the GPS/blindness connection as the years unfold.

Also, there is an obvious convergence happening as signage and dead-reckoning come together with GPS to address the orientation needs of blind individuals.

There is a textbook located on this website concerning wayfinding technologies. For more information about GPS, refer to the text.