Avatar "Iris" leads the way
18 December 2024
The Viennese public transport operator Wiener Linien introduced "Iris," the world's first avatar that translates disruptions in the transport network into sign language. Before Iris' first day at work, 5,000 stations and 30 types of disruptions were translated into sign language. In the event of a disruption, the needed information is put together and then communicated via a video of Iris.
 | Theresa Adelmann When you think about accessibility of public transport, what comes to mind? Elevators for wheelchair-users? Tactile paving for blind people? Beeping traffic lights? From now on, you can include "Iris" on that list. Thanks to her, deaf people being unaware of information announced via speakers is a thing of the past in Austria and hopefully soon in more European countries. |
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