Waymap-SG app expands to 15 MRT stations, offering autonomy for vision-impaired commuters

SINGAPORE, May 24 — A smartphone app designed to help people with visual impairments navigate public transport independently has been expanded to 15 additional MRT stations and bus interchanges, widening access to step‑by‑step audio guidance across some of Singapore’s busiest transit nodes.

According to The Straits Times, The Waymap‑SG app, which gives spoken instructions to help users move through complex spaces, was first piloted in 2023 at Tampines MRT station and the adjoining bus interchange. The Land Transport Authority said the latest rollout includes major interchanges such as Dhoby Ghaut, Outram Park, Yishun Integrated Transport Hub and Marina Bay, where multi‑level layouts and numerous exits can be challenging for commuters with low or no vision.

The system works without GPS or mobile data. Instead, it relies on sensors already built into smartphones — such as the accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer and barometer — combined with detailed digital maps of each location. An AI‑driven algorithm learns a user’s walking pattern over time, improving accuracy with repeated use. At the start of a journey, the app may prompt users to take photos of their surroundings so its visual positioning system can determine their exact location.

Before each site goes live, the UK‑based developer maps out key features including platforms, lifts, escalators and walkways. The company has been working with beneficiaries from the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped and Guide Dogs Singapore since the first trial, refining the app based on their feedback. Improvements since 2023 include clearer audio cues, more intuitive routing, and fixes for issues such as inaccurate readings during gentle turns or sudden phone movements.

The most recent testing phase, which began in December 2025, involved 12 participants with varying degrees of vision loss. Many reported that the app made it easier to move around independently, reducing the fear of getting lost in crowded or unfamiliar stations.

The expansion sites were chosen to provide a mix of environments — from straightforward layouts to large, multi‑line interchanges — allowing the authorities to assess how the technology performs under different conditions. No additional hardware is required in the stations.

Waymap has been deploying its technology in other cities as well, including Washington’s public transport network, Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, and several locations in Austin, Edinburgh and Birmingham. In Singapore, the app is also available at Punggol Regional Library.

Users involved in the trials said the technology offers a sense of autonomy and confidence when travelling alone, especially for those who typically avoid going out due to navigation challenges.

المصدر: Malay Mail