Computer scientists at Swansea and Glasgow universities are working on a system to integrate GPS satellite navigation technology to handheld music devices like MP3s, to help guide pedestrians around cities. With the development this system, the users will be able to input an in-town destination and get started on foot whilst listening to music on their headphones. It really looks like good design to me — subtle, easy, and effectual. The researchers also claim that, as soon as the users are about to get at an intersection they need to adjust their trajectory, the music in the corresponding headphone will get louder, inciting them to take a right or hang a louie Dr Jones said, Normally, when we listen to music through headphones, we do so to shut the world out. This system allows the world to seep in when users let it. Additional apps for this might consist of assisting the sight-impaired or indicating sight known to be of significance to some users such as skate ramps for skaters, bike lanes for cyclists, record stores for vinyl collectors, etc.
