now Everyone can enjoy the scenic route
You don’t have to see to make change.
you just need a little vision for the future.
The inspiration
Until now, accessibility for people with vision impairment has been all about raw information. But what if we could take things a step farther and make accessibility more evocative, allowing it to convey the splendor and beauty of the world around us? Well, if you believe in the power of dreams, anything is possible.
Collaborators
To develop Scenic Audio, we worked closely with Perkins School for the Blind, with additional collaboration from Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind. Both are dedicated to creating a world where those with visual impairment can reach their maximum potential and unlock every opportunity.
beyond accessibility
Scenic Audio uses cutting-edge AI tech and a wealth of data to weave together a captivating real-time narrative that paints vivid pictures of the world passing by outside a car window. There’s a lot going on under the hood to make it all possible.
the story
Try out the experience with the Scenic Audio Demo
Samples of location-specific output
CA-1, Monterey, CA
Latitude: 36.31552779856464
Longitude: -121.89112673244477
“We're cruising along the coast with a dense fog hugging the roadway. To our right, a misty ocean view opens up with a solitary island like a giant’s stepping stone in the vast gray waters. The overcast sky makes the spring green on the rolling hills muted, almost mystical. The road itself bends ahead, inviting us to discover what wonders lie beyond the misty veils of the California coastline.”
Lake Shore & Banks, Chicago, IL
Latitude: 41.90654719011317
Longitude: -87.62503345649722
“We're cruising along Lake Shore with the vastness of Lake Michigan on our right, its large expanse merging with the blue horizon. Freshly leafed green trees, stripped by winter, line the road, patiently waiting for summer to fully clothe them. Tall buildings rise up ahead, creating a striking contrast against the vibrant clear sky. The lakefront path invites strollers and cyclists despite the brisk wind whipping off the lake. Ahead, the street bends, promising more of this urban meets nature tableau.”
5th Ave, NYC
Latitude: 40.77366268000709
Longitude: -73.96616566221705
“Rolling along Fifth Avenue, we're flanked by a lush corridor of trees in early bud, their leaves just now beginning to unfurl. The stately apartment buildings with their classic facades stand in contrast, witnesses to countless seasons. Shadows play across the street, and the mingling of late afternoon light with the dappled shade creates a tranquil cityscape that feels timeless.”
Execution is everything
The Perkins School for the Blind's Howe Innovation Center sits at the intersection of innovation and disability. It’s designed to unlock the power of the entrepreneurial and disability communities to create purpose-built solutions for a more accessible world.
The Perkins School for the Blind’s team was integral in testing and refining the functionality of Scenic Audio. Because even the most groundbreaking ideas, with the best intentions, are useless if they’re not brought to life properly.
Groundbreaking complexity meets functional elegance
See how we crafted the Scenic Audio experience
What users Are Saying
“I felt like I was with a tour guide. And it's wonderful.”
— Jerry B.
“This really levels the playing field for everyone. Everyone that's young old, has a disability doesn't have a disability. It makes you feel like a star in your own show. In your own story, if you will.”
— Tanja M.
“I would finally feel… on the same page with everyone else in the car rides.”
— Cassandra X.
“The app wonderfully described so much richness and emotive nature and buildings and everything else that's surrounding us. It was it was lovely, awesome.”
— Josh L.