RFIDNews | RFID-enabled PDA assists the blind

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Swiss company Bones Inc. has introduced a new PDA incorporating RFID to help the blind and visually-impaired negotiate everyday tasks more easily.

Users of the Milestone 312 can attach RFID tags to household objects like clothing or CDs and then scan them with the PDA’s embedded Texas Instruments multi-standard RFID reader. Once scanned, the user can record voice notes identifying the objects using the PDA’s speech capability. Future scans of the object will offer an audio label synced to the tag.

The device can also be used outside the home, to help navigate public transportation, shop, or even to explore museums. Swiss city St. Gallen has installed reference tags for all public transport.

UK organization pilots RFID way-finding system for the blind and partially sighted

Guide Dogs, a UK-based charitable organization providing guide dogs, mobility and other rehabilitation services to the blind and partially sighted, is working together with the University of Reading to develop a prototype RFID way-finding system.

Jacksonville transit experiences mass crowds at sign up event

The Jacksonville Transit Authority (JTA) experienced an overwhelmingly large amount of people signing up for the region’s new STAR smart payment card system, according to a local news brief.

MTN Irancell, Etick to test mobile wallet in Iran

MTN Irancell, one of Iran’s mobile operators, has teamed up with Etick Pars Intelligent Technologies and Bank Pasargad to develop a mobile wallet solution for the Iranian Market.

Cape Town goes contactless on taxi fares

The Peninsula Taxi Association (PTA) in South Africa has launched a electronic fare collection system, granting commuters cashless fare and discounts when using the newly developed contactless-enabled transit card, according to The Cape Times.

KT: 20 million Koreans will have NFC phones this year

KT Corporation, Korea’s largest teleco, is predicting that 20 million NFC-enabled phones will be in the hands of South Koreans by the end of 2012 – accounting for nearly 40% of the country’s total population, according to NFC World.

New Paris Metro card may be topped up by phone

The Paris Metro’s 2013 Navigo transit card may come with a new feature that enables users to top up their card accounts via mobile phone, according to the Verge.

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RFID-enabled PDA assists the blind