24 Hour Inclusive Design Challenge 2010, Boston, USA , organised by the Institute for Human-Centered Design (IHCD) 17-18 November 2010
Larry: Your Key to Everywhere
Team Government Center
Team leader: Livia Veneziano
Design partner: Larry Haile (MBTA)
By offering a directional system that is both integrated into the city as well as customisable for individual needs, the Larry Card provides a modern solution to travel issues faced by those with vision impairment as well as other people who require easy-access information.
Having the LarryCard is like having a portable GPS in card form. With just one touch, you will have access to important way finding information such as current location, travel directions, and have access to nearby points of interest.
How Does Larry Work?
There are three major parts to the LarryCard system:
- The LarryCard: the LarryCard is a plastic, re-usable card (similar to transit smartcards used in Boston and other cities). Instead of loading transit fares, destinations and personalised information are loaded onto Larry.
- The Larrycard kiosk: this kiosk gives the user the opportunity to add or delete destinations from their card, customise their Larrycard (also possible through the website user settings), learn about nearby points of interest, interact with a map of the area, and receive estimated arrival times for bus and subway (only at kiosks near subway stations). Users have the ability to interact with the kiosk verbally by using the touch screens, or by using the keyboard located just below the touch screen. The kiosk's screen reading software gives individuals with visual impairments the ability to interact with the kiosk via the touch screen or by the keyboard.
- The Waypoint: Waypoints are located at decision-making points throughout the city. Decision-making points include, but are not limited to, intersections, openings that have an existing path of travel and at the top or bottom of stairs. The Waypoint consists of a card target, an external speaker, and earphone jack.
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