TYFLOSET® is a unified system for all kinds of audio information and orientation on the territory of the Czech Republic which facilitates the orientation of the visually impaired when using the suburban and railway transportation, on crossings, in subways, underground, etc. The system was designed by the Czech company Apex in close cooperation with the Czech Union of the Blind. The blind and partially sighted have two types of assistive aids. The first type is a small pocket version with six buttons, the second one is a blind stick with three buttons built in its handle. In both cases it is a command transmitter which is used to trigger an audio announcement. In transportation the blind user standing at the bus or tram stop can hear the vehicle approaching.
Description of target users and groups
Blind people
Technology solution
Technology choice: Proprietary technologyMain results, benefits and impacts
Passengers in the buses and trams of the public municipal and suburban transportation systems are usually informed by optical displays and acoustic announcements about the stops. Many of this information is not enough accessible for the visually impaired persons. With the aid of the TYFLOSET, blind citizens can have accurate and realtime access to this vital information. The system TYFLOSET offers then to the visually impaired and weak-eyed persons major mobility and independency.
Return on investment
Return on investment: Not applicable / Not availableTrack record of sharing
The system has been implemented all over the Czech Republic and Dresden in Germany. The Czech Union of Blind are happy with the system.
Lessons learnt
Simplicity and flexibility are major elements to be taken always into account when developing a project such as this one.
Scope: National