Berlin-based micromobility operator Tier Mobility has partnered with GPS app provider Lazarillo to improve e-scooter safety standards for the visually impaired.
The Lazarillo app provides blind and partially sighted pedestrians with real-time audio messages about the streets they are walking. It also helps them navigate through buildings such as shops.
As a result of the partnership, Lazarillo will share its data with Tier on popular routes used by people with visual impairment to help inform Tier’s e-scooter distribution decisions.
Furthermore, it will inform the selection of Tier’s parking bay locations, no-go and slow-go areas. This information will be integrated into Lazarillo’s app to help blind and partially sighted people become more aware of busy e-scooter areas.
Fred Jones, general manager, UK and Ireland, Tier Mobility, said: “We have listened carefully to the concerns of visually impaired people when it comes to e-scooters, and we’re thrilled to be working closely with this community to come up with smart safety solutions which can make a real difference to everyday lives.
“The partnership with Lazarillo will not only give its blind and partially sighted users the information they need to stay safe, but hopefully it will also give them the peace of mind that an e-scooter operator is firmly on their side and ready to design its operations in whatever way best protects vulnerable pedestrians.”
The collaboration with Lazarillo has already launched in the UK and Tier said it plans to extend it to mainland Europe and the Middle East soon.
In the UK, training sessions with visually impaired organisations such as the Wilberforce Trust and MySight York will be used to introduce new users to the app and provide information on e-scooters.
This is not the first safety feature to be added to Tier e-scooters following communication with the visually impaired community. As previously reported by CiTTi, Tier announced in November 2020 that it would add sound to its fleet to alert blind and partially sighted people of the approaching vehicles.
