(Photo Credit: Ruth Garita/ OCM)
“DesplazaTEC” is the name of the app created by Alexander Chaves a student of a Masters in Computer Sciences at the Costa Rican Institute of Technology (TEC).

This application serves as a guide within the TEC campus for blind people or population with low sight problems by informing them through voice system of any hazards they can find ahead (stairs, obstacles, etc.). It also gives them information on where the different areas of the campus are located (bathrooms, cafeterias, classrooms, emergency zones, etc.)

The app, currently available exclusively for Android technology uses a system called Beacons, a bluetooth low energy consumption device with a unique identifier that is sent to the smartphones that connect with them. Once the information is received by the phone, it is associated with a particular item in the database and it will be read out loud to the user through Talkback voice assistant which is only found in Android phones.

The creators expect to be able to use this technology in other buildings and public institutions. Future versions will allow the application to identify different buses so the user knows which one he needs to take.

This application will give blind people or those with low sight problems more independence and safety.