The European Space Agency (ESA) has demonstrated a prototype satellite navigation system accurate enough to direct vision-impaired pedestrians.

This system, designed with the Spanish National Organisation for the Blind, is based on the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), the precursor to the planned Galileo satellite navigation system. EGNOS, a joint project of ESA, the European Commission and Eurocontrol, consists of a network of about 40 ground stations throughout Europe that collect and improve location data provided by the U.S. GPS system. The modified signals are relayed by geostationary satellites to receivers, providing position information with an accuracy of less than two meters.

In this application, the processing of the positional data is performed by a central computer, which then sends back information to the user. A handicapped pedestrian might be given directions to follow after programming his or her destination into the device.

The information is delivered to the user via a prototype handheld unit that combines a mobile phone with a position receiver and a voice synthesizer. The system, recently demonstrated in Madrid, also uses ESA’s Signal In Space via Internet (Sisnet), which helps provide information in urban environments where buildings may block satellite signals. Spain’s GMV Sistemas and ONCE are developing a single device that will integrate all three technologies: an EGNOS/Sisnet receiver, a pocket computer and a mobile phone.

The device is not intended to replace a cane or guide dog, but provide additional information via voice.

In March Alcatel Alenia Space demonstrated a similar system using EGNOS that provide emergency service personnel highly accurate location information via mobile phones.