Navigating the Future – How LNER’s Smart Wayfinding Tech is Changing the Game
Strategy - Design - Development
Lost in
Transit
Imagine being in a bustling train station, uncertain of which way to go or where to find your platform. For visually impaired travellers, this isn’t just a minor inconvenience—it’s a significant barrier to independence. LNER saw this as an opportunity to redefine travel by researching a seamless indoor wayfinding system that overcomes the limitations of traditional GPS, which simply doesn’t work indoors.
Smarter Navigation,
Zero Stress
Enter SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping)—the technology used for augmented reality but re-imagined into a smart wayfinding system that keeps you on course without the need for cumbersome equipment or specialised knowledge. We partnered with LNER to research and develop with the help of an innovation grant to trial this tech solution and guide users through even the busiest stations.
Here’s how we
cracked the code:
Bringing the Station to Life: Using over 600 high-resolution photos of Newcastle Station, we crafted a detailed 3D map. With only this initial dataset, the AI learned the layout, allowing the system to be trained quickly without extensive modelling.
SLAM + AI = Travel Genius: SLAM technology uses your phone’s sensors to track its real-time position, plotting it onto a 3D map that pinpoints your exact location at every step. But how does it know where to start? With Vision AI, we were able to detect key landmarks to triangulate your position effortlessly. The best part? No need to hold your phone awkwardly in front of you—just navigate naturally!
Safety First: With integrated audio and haptic feedback, users receive alerts for obstacles and hazardous areas. A feature using geofencing even warns travellers when they’re near stairs or platform edges, improving safety as well as convenience.
A Clear Path to
Better Travel
LNER’s wayfinding solution is more than a navigation tool; it’s a bridge to independence and accessibility for all travellers.
Here’s how it transforms the experience:
Freedom for All: The tech empowers those who depend on visual or physical aids, enabling greater independence even in complex, high-traffic environments.
Inclusive and Stress-Free: Accessible, accurate navigation ensures that every passenger, regardless of ability, can navigate through crowded stations with ease.
Real-Time Adaptability: The system continually improves itself with crowdsourced feedback, refining the 3D map and making each journey smoother as more people use it.
And the results speak volumes. Though experimental, the project’s success could easily be extended to other environments and solutions.
Beyond the Tech:
Empowering Public Transport Accessibility
This isn’t just about maps and directions. LNER’s wayfinding solution addresses a much bigger issue: public transport should be accessible to everyone. Many people avoid public transit due to fear of getting lost or struggling in unfamiliar stations. Our research tech helps break down these barriers, making public transport a viable, attractive option for all.
An Expanded Reach: Beyond just one station, this solution is scalable, adaptable, and ready for broader implementation. Whether for tourists, families, or those with disabilities, this tech creates a world where stations are easy to navigate, and public spaces are accessible to all.
Ready to
Roll
Our initial rollout at Newcastle Station proved the concept—SLAM-based wayfinding works. Despite tight timelines and a modest budget, we overcame challenges, from highly manual image pinning to extensive testing in real-world scenarios, to deliver an effective MVP.
Join the
Movement
LNER’s journey with SLAM is opening doors for everyone, making transport truly accessible. We’re ready to partner with more transport networks, businesses, and public spaces to bring this solution to life in new locations. Contact us today to see how you can be part of this transformative change in public accessibility.
Incorporating SLAM tech is more than just a step forward; it’s an investment in a future where public transit is inclusive, empowering, and ready for everyone. Isn’t it time your station caught up?