Lazzus
Lazzus, the augmented reality and geo-positioning app for the visually impaired, is the brainchild of Pedro Javier, CEO of cutting-edge technology company NeoSenTec. With approximately one million people living with some kind of visual impairment in Spain, Pedro’s company decided to come up with a technological solution to a common problem: “Normal GPS devices enable blind people to travel from one point to another, but there’s nothing but darkness in between those points,” explains Pedro. “We wanted to fill that void with information on their current location (street and number) and nearby places and businesses to help improve their everyday life.” And now it’s possible. Using GPS, the mobile phone’s built-in compass, and the extensive Google Places and Maps database, users just have to point their smartphone to receive information about what’s in their field of vision. Android’s open platform was key for NeoSenTec in developing the app: “Having a single programming language produces homogeneous results across the majority of devices, which has enabled us to devise an app that is suitable for a huge number of models and brands,” says Pedro. The company has also made good use of the Google Play market to launch the product in six countries and reach 2,000 early users: “Android has saved us a lot of extra work and has enabled a small team to create something which is benefiting thousands of people. Launching in a new country takes just four days. That would just be inconceivable with another platform.” explains Pedro.
Android has saved us a lot of extra work and has enabled a small team to create something which is benefiting thousands of people.Pedro Javier, CEO, NeoSenTec
Lazzus
See how Android assisted developers in creating and distributing Lazzus, a smartphone app that helps the visually impaired navigate their surroundings.