September 29, 2006—IBM’s software research labs in the United Kingdom have developed a system to send location-specific alerts to the cell phones of hearing-impaired people at airports, workplaces, railway stations, and other locations.
Code-named LAMA, or Location Aware Messaging for Accessibility, the system can send alerts in a range of formats, including images and handset vibrations, said the company.
When a user enters a location running LAMA, the mobile phone recognizes the system and provides a list of messaging services it can offer. Users can be automatically alerted to public address announcements, which are converted into a users preferred format.
The system would help the hearing impaired receive critical information, such as emergency alerts, fire alarms, and security and safety instructions, in the form of text messages, said Sara Basson, program director, human ability, at IBM Research.
IBM believes the LAMA technology can help more than people with disabilities. Environments where the system could be used include sports events to announce the location of stadium facilities, and scores and substitutions; or at shopping centers to broadcast customer information, public announcements, and in-store promotions.
The LAMA system was developed as part of IBM’s Extreme Blue research program at its lab in Hursley near Winchester, U.K.
LAMA is due to be pilot-tested in the coming months across the United Kingdom. Users will be able to download the LAMA client software to their mobile phones from a web site.
IBM also plans to offer the technology within some of its products.
For more information, see the IBM Web site.
