New invention to avoid city hazards for older or disabled people

A new device designed to help older and disabled people avoid potential hazards when making their way around town and city centres is being developed by Nigel Walford, professor of Applied Geographical Information Systems at Kingston University.

The device, said Professor Walford, would enable people with mobility problems to avoid such hazards as steep slopes, stairs and badly lit streets in unfamiliar places.

The professor has now been developing the device for two years and is now ready to present a prototype to industry backers.

The device works by making a survey of a town or city while drawing attention to potential hazards. As such, it is different to a Satnav which, like other existing products, directs people from A to B, but does not take into account the details of the route.

Professor Walford said of his invention:"It would provide older people in particular with greater independence by allowing them to widen their horizons and travel to unfamiliar places without having to worry about how easy it is to get around."

He added: "Someone with a disability would not want to encounter obstacles such as stairs, steps, narrow pavements or street furniture — they need to know what’s round the corner."

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