GoodMaps Lands At SLO County Airport, Offering Internal Property Navigation

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) - A kickoff demonstration took place at San Luis Obispo Regional Airport Tuesday morning for a new internal navigation app.

GoodMaps was originally inspired to help visually impaired and otherwise disadvantaged travelers navigate while inside airports, without the need of constant human assistance.

After six years of development, the app is now being used in 42 airports around the world, and SLO Airport is its first in California.

Developers say it quickly became apparent the service could be expanded to everyone, as it can help navigate properties someone might be unfamiliar with.

Visually impaired travelers who have gotten the chance to use the app already say it can facilitate much more independence for them.

“I have to say, I am grateful for this GoodMaps app,” says Travis Sitler, who lives in Templeton. “if I'm with a family member I could show my own family member who are fully sighted, where the restroom is by using the GoodMaps apps on my iPhone.”

“We're not using GPS,” says Kevin Kline, Community Engagement Representative for Goodmaps. “We're using, camera based positioning. And then it's getting your position within 30cm and taking you wherever you want to go within one meter, 100% of the time.”

Goodmaps can be downloaded like any other app, and can be used for any participating commercial property such as train stations, museums, universities, and more.

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