BudBuzz addresses a design challenge to create an iOS application that enables an individual who is visually impaired or blind to use iBeacons in a new environment with minimal sighted assistance. iOS devices use accessibility features such as the VoiceOver screen reader. As a result, iPhones have been widely adopted within the blind community.
BudBuzz is a navigational app designed to help empower people who are low vision or blind to safely navigate and connect with friends spontaneously. BudBuzz utilizes iBeacons that have been placed around frequently visited locations and given to friends to allow the user to navigate their surroundings and identify friends in unplanned situations through haptic and auditory feedback.
Personalized haptic and auditory feedback provides the user with information such as personal spatial awareness, and context regarding approaching friends. With this information, users will be able to correctly identify who they are approaching, how they know them, and what direction they will need to face to greet the correct person - all without ever having to wait for their friend to notice them first.
