GPS for the blind or visually impaired

Trekker is a GPS system for the blind and visually impaired that uses GPS and digital maps to help blind persons find their way in urban and rural areas.

Trekker which retrofits a Dell PDA as you can tell from the image above is designed to complement existing aids such as white canes and guide dogs but it does not replace them. It provides information in the most natural way possible and allows users to record both vocal and written notes.

Trekker hardware does not contain a GPS receiver but you can use any off the shelf hardware for GPS input and it can be upgradaded, so it can expand to accommodate new hardware platforms and more detailed geographic information which brings us to Maestro Option which allows the use of an agenda, text documents, vocal notes, contact directory, Daisy reader (Victor Reader Pocket), and soon, media player, email manager, calculator, choice of a second language.

Here are main features of Trekker

  * Real-time information detection (Intersections and Point of Interest)
  * Real-time/offline map browsing (Route Preview)
  * Route planning and recording (Guiding Rules)
  * Flexible level of vocal informationVocal Point of Interest creation
  * Access to GPS status information
  * Weight: 600 g (1.3 lbs)
  * Size 87mm (3.4″) x 134mm (5.26″) x 27mm (1″)