Applications

Tourism

Tourists with foldable map or maps on the smartphone – you have seen them and probably have been in their shoes while exploring unfamiliar areas. Not always fun to check with the map at every corner instead of concentrating on the beautiful surroundings, is it? Ongoing research in the tourism sector indicates that most people do not like to make it obvious that they are using navigation by looking at a map or a screen. Instead they want to focus on the attractions and sightseeing while being naturally integrated in the environment.

Sensovo Navipal is a great assistance for the tourists in this regard. They have to simply input waypoints in the smartphone app before starting sightseeing, put the belt on and press start the navigation. In this way tourists are navigating from one point to another without having to take the phone out even once! And of course, by having the belt under the clothes or masking it as a normal belt makes the navigation process is completely invisible.

Berlin 3D

Geocaching

Geocaching is a modern form of treasure hunting. The geocaching community enjoys to explore new environments by hunting for little treasures that were hidden by their hobby followers. Geocachers use their hands and eyes to look for the hidden cache and at the same time they do not want to make this search obvious to other people. Sensovo’s technology can help geocachers to find their treasure without the need of looking on a screen which might be a useful tool to perform a search in the most possible discreet form.

Photo: Creative Commons by Luis Pérez

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Emergency services

In situation where focus is needed the navigation device we developed might save lives. By concentrating fully on the task that is needed to succeed in an emergency situation the helper is supported in his action. Possible scenarios are the use of Sensovo’s technology for fire control when the environment is smokey and vision is decreased.

Also rescue operations could benefit from tactile navigation, when maps won’t work anymore because the surrounding is destroyed or where maps are difficult to read like in outdoor environment.

Photo: Creative Commons by Andrew Magill

Firefighters

Sports

Have you ever tried to cycle in the unknown terrain in the rain, using map or phone for navigation? We have, and it was not a very pleasant experience. First one needs to stop, often in the puddle, take the paper map, or phone out of the pocket, making them wet and muddy in the process. And repeat this many more times.

This is one of the reasons why outdoors recreational activities experience can be greatly enhanced by tactile navigation systems. Cyclists and motorcyclists need to concentrate on the road instead of navigation to avoid accidents. And runners might not like to waste time determining directions from the device screen. Other possible applications of Sensovo Navipal in the sports include diving, hobby air plane flying, paragliding, horse riding, hunting and so on.

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Impairment

Navigation devices for people with visual impairment are usually audio based, which can distract the user from environmental sounds which are helpful for orientation. A tactile navigation device offers the advantage that hearing is not needed and the navigation is purely tactile based.

People with Alzheimer’s disease struggle to use conventional navigation devices as understanding maps becomes a difficult task once the spatial orientation decreases. A tactile device that indicates direction to a person’s home with vibration might well be a considerable option for a more intuitive approach.

Photo: Creative Commons by Pat Pilon

Impairment