A new app aimed at helping wheelchair users and elderly people cross the road safely is to be trialled in Edinburgh this year.
The app called ‘Neatebox’ has been developed by Gavin Neate, who got the idea of creating this innovative app through his 18 years of training guide dogs. He saw firsthand the difficulties’ wheelchair users and blind people faced when crossing roads and believes that his handy app will help solve a lot of these issues.
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The app is believed to be the first of its kind and doesn’t rely on Wi-Fi or GPS when in use. It has the advantage of virtually pressing the button at pedestrian crossings and telling people when it’s safe to cross the road by linking up with a small circuit board found inside the crossing box. People with visual impairments will get an audio alert on their phone when the green man appears.
Last year the concept won the transport, technology and innovation support categories of Edinburgh City Council’s Edinburgh app awards and Mr Neate believes his invention will be hugely popular.
Gavin comments: “There are some crossings where you can’t stretch to press the button, or physically you can’t get from the pole all the way to the place you need to stand. This app’s designed for everybody – if it’s somebody that’s got a broken leg, or an elderly person.”
In place already at some crossings is the option of using a “tactile indicator” which is a small cone underneath a pedestrian crossing box that spins when it’s safe to cross. However, the boxes tend to be quite far from the kerb, meaning the person may have to stretch from their wheelchair or struggle to get to the kerb in adequate time to cross the road safely.
Edinburgh Councillor, Alasdair Rankin, comments: “The Neatebox app is a fantastic idea and I look forward to seeing it developed, benefitting people in Edinburgh and beyond.”
What do you think of this idea? Do you think this new invention will make a difference to people’s lives?
