Building modular service architectures and enhanced map intelligence for scalable digital platforms.

The project developed a simple, but effective and robust technology to show elderly and users with special needs which vehicle to board, indicate the vehicle's arrival, and provide an alert when it is time to get off. The system included the capacity for detection and correction of any errors the user makes on a journey, and could be customised according to the precise needs and preferences of each user.

IN2 delivered the project’s core technical backbone by developing and operating a Service-Oriented Architecture that enabled modular integration, scalability, and long-term sustainability. This architecture ensured reliable communication between services and supported flexible deployment and maintenance.

In addition, IN2 developed the Map Enhancer module, extending map-based services with richer contextual and interactive features. Together, these contributions improved system robustness, usability, and extensibility.

Accessible indoor navigation that empowers independent mobility in Europe’s busiest transport hubs.

PAL set out to make large transport hubs truly navigable for everyone, especially elderly and visually impaired travellers. By converting static indoor maps into intelligent, accessible navigation services, the project enabled users to independently find their way through complex public spaces using mobile devices.

As project coordinator, IN2 led the technical vision behind PAL, delivering the core technologies for map annotation, indoor localisation, and accessible routing, and validating the solution in real airport environments — laying the groundwork for future commercial deployment.

Transforming digital indoor maps into accessible, audio-haptic navigation experiences for everyone.

MOBILITY, a project coordinated by IN2, delivered a novel map annotation framework that allowed to enter annotations on top of existing map plans and contextualise them with assistive information. This framework was deployed at Frankfurt airport together with an enhanced indoor localisation technology based on WiFi signal strength and triangulation and a mobile application that converted map annotations into route information and presented it verbally to people with visual impairments.

Using standard smartphones and WiFi-based positioning, MOBILITY delivered real-time, personalised descriptions of indoor environments without requiring special hardware. The result was a scalable solution that improved accessibility while opening new service opportunities for transport hubs, public buildings, and large venues.

Enhancing intermodal travel through passenger-focused information connectivity.

IC-IC explored how better information connectivity can improve intermodal passenger transport by providing travellers with the right information at the right time. The project introduced the InfoConnectivity System (ICS) to support smoother transitions between airports, airlines, and ground transport services.

IN2 contributed to the specification and system design phase, helping define passenger-centred information services delivered through mobile technologies, multilingual support, and accessible interaction concepts.

Empowering independent navigation through user-centred wearable technology for the visually impaired.

WearIT@Work was an FP6 Integrated project funded by the European Commission. In the uWEAR take-up action we customised and extended wearable computing tools to help visualy impaired persons navigate in outdoor environments. Inspired by Zaphod Beeblebrox, a character of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams we designed an assistive audio menu and instructions to help navigate complex information spaces.

uWEAR explored how wearable computing can empower visually impaired users by delivering hands-free, audio-based navigation for everyday mobility. Built on the WearIT@Work platform, the project focused on seamless integration with existing assistive practices rather than replacing them.

IN2 played a central role by designing the system architecture, developing accessible interaction models, and leading iterative user testing and refinement. The result was a validated, user-driven approach to wearable navigation that balances technology, usability, and independence.