Sensor technology can get blind people safely on the move

Connecting a smart phone to a network of advanced sensors, vehicles and transport providers promises to improve transport access for all citizens, especially those who are blind, visually impaired or have problems with mobility.

Conigital’s goal as a startup is to explore ways of building a ‘mobility as a service’ solution using multi-modal forms of transport including driverless vehicles and creating truly and inclusive smart cities.

With the help of EEN in the Midlands the company has been funded for a £480,000 work package as a partner in Innovate UK’s £2.1 million Connected and Autonomous Vehicles project, INSIGHT. It will bring driverless cars to the streets of Birmingham.

Plug-and-play sensors

Conigital is developing a range of advanced wireless plug-and-play sensors that can detect traffic flow and footfall data and can monitor the environment for pollutants such as CO2 and NOx. Through EEN it is also working with international partners on indoor navigation for the partially blind.

EEN has helped to broker a partnership with Coventry University’s Centre of Mobility and Transport which has led to Conigital joining their consortium for a Horizon 2020 funding round in 2017.

Technology showcase

The EEN team worked closely with Conigital on the application for Innovate UK funding and is providing further support for new calls. The company has partnered with Westfield Sports Cars, Heathrow, Birmingham City University, Fusion Processing and Creative Example on INSIGHT.