Did you know that 1.5 million people in the Netherlands are deaf or hearing-impaired? With this in mind, CommuniCity invited tech providers to explore ways to improve accessibility in public transport communication.
Fonetic responded to this challenge by developing a solution aimed at making public transportation more inclusive. Using AI technology, the app converts spoken public transport announcements into text messages in the user’s preferred language.
Co-creation process
To better understand the challenges faced by the target group, research was conducted in collaboration with the deaf community. One of the co-creation sessions included both hearing-impaired volunteers and local policymakers.
By facilitating dialogue between tech developers and volunteers, the process helped create a prototype that addresses real-life difficulties in accessing transport information.
Solution and Impact
The developed tool enhances accessibility in public transportation and offers additional benefits, such as:
- Reducing information overload in transit environments
- Improving the integration of travel information within vehicles
While designed for individuals with hearing impairments, the solution can also benefit the general public by improving access to public announcements.
Aligned with CommuniCity’s ethical approach, this pilot highlights how collaborative methods can lead to effective technological solutions. CommuniCity remains committed to supporting citizen-centred innovation to address digital, urban, and social challenges. The pilots from the Third Round of Open Calls will continue running until the end of May 2025.