You arrange to meet a friend outside a shopping centre and wait for them to arrive. For any sighted person this is an easy and normal part of life. But let’s take a second to think of how difficult such a situation is for a visually impaired person.  They are unsure if they are at the right entrance, on the correct side of the door etc. However a new App aims to make this scenario a whole lot easier for visually impaired individuals.

The app, called People Finder, has a simple but accessible interface. The App runs like others on the market such as Spot me which is used to network at conferences. Both users of the App must have it running at the same time and it connects via Bluetooth. It alerts users via vibration and noise when someone else with the App comes within 50 feet.  As you walk around the App will tell you whether you are ‘near’ or ‘cold’. Additionally there is an option to message your friend through the App to let them know you have found them rather than give them a fright!

The App is in its early stages and is being tested by visually impaired people at the moment to see how effective they find it. Critics have suggested that there is no need for an App like this. However Julian Vargas, who is blind, believes that the App could be useful. He intends to try out the App on a local bus route to see if he can find the bus his friend is on so they can travel together.