Travel

Sunshine Coast Airport Pioneers Accessibility with BindiMaps Wayfinding Solution

Published

9 months ago

October 25, 2023

Sunshine Coast Airport (SCA) has become Australia’s first airport to install digital accessible wayfinding solution BindiMaps in a bid to help its 1.62 million annual passengers seamlessly navigate its facilities and become one of Australia’s most accessible airports.

The BindiMaps technology was designed with input from hundreds of users who are blind or vision-impaired to ensure the highest possible levels of accessibility and inclusivity, making its installation by SCA an important step on the Airport’s journey to become more accessible.

The BindiMaps app uses a network of Bluetooth beacons and smartphone sensors to offer users a choice of text, map view, or audio directions that guide users through the airport using accurate, real-time, and step-by-step directions to any destination.

SCA General Manager Operations Kate McCreery-Carr said BindiMaps would empower all passengers, staff, and visitors to feel confident when navigating the terminal, helping remove barriers while also laying the foundation for future growth.

“Having BindiMaps at Sunshine Coast Airport is a game changer. Our goal is to create a more accessible airport for our community, where all passengers feel welcome, included, and confident when travelling,” Ms McCreery-Carr said.

“While the technology can be used by anyone, the benefits it will provide to passengers and visitors who are blind or visually impaired will be significant, allowing them to precisely navigate our terminal with greater ease and accuracy from the moment they enter, to the moment they leave.

BindiMaps: Adaptable Solution for Future Growth

“One of the many benefits of BindiMaps is its adaptability, which is crucial as we grow and expand into the future. With BindiMaps, we can update maps, routes and other relevant passenger information ensuring that passengers have the most accurate information no matter the situation.

“Our goal is to make Sunshine Coast Airport the most accessible and inclusive in Australia, and we want to thank the wonderful team at BindiMaps for helping us start this journey.”

The installation of BindiMaps coincides with Queensland’s Year of Accessible Tourism, a campaign aimed at recognising the importance of accessible tourism experiences and creating opportunities for business.

Ms McCreery-Carr said the Airport was the gateway to the region, and the partnership with BindiMaps would help better cater to visitors of all abilities.

“Our partnership with BindiMaps aligns with Queensland’s Year of Accessible Tourism and our goal is to create a more inclusive environment for the local community and visitors alike,” she said.

“By creating a culture of continuous improvement and implementing best practice solutions, we hope to lay the foundation for a more accessible and inclusive future for not just our airport, but the entire aviation industry.”

Cutting-Edge Navigation Algorithms and Technology

BindiMaps CEO and Founder Anna Wright said: “We are excited to partner with Sunshine Coast Airport to help its passengers, staff, and visitors precisely navigate the entire airport with ease and accuracy – especially those with a vision impairment or disability.

“BindiMaps will not only help passengers navigate to obvious places like boarding gates and security, it will also minimise the staffing burden of personalised assistance, manage congestion, and reduce late arrivals at the gates.

“It will also help improve passengers’ airport experience by helping them navigate to unique locations to grab their favourite snack, buy a neck pillow and ear plugs, or find a place to charge electronics.

“Our navigation algorithms and network of Bluetooth beacons and smartphone sensors offer a sophisticated navigating experience that is currently unrivaled. For instance, BindiMaps functions a bit like Google Maps, but with 10 to 20 times greater accuracy than the Google satellites and GPS, which can only pinpoint location to around 20 meters compared to 1 to 2 metres indoors for BindiMaps.

“We’ve had great success at the Budapest Airport, where we won a worldwide tender to offer digital accessible wayfinding services to its 12+ million passengers annually as part of Europe’s DANOVA project providing audio navigation solutions for people with low vision and blindness.

“We look forward to helping Sunshine Coast Airport achieve similar results on its way towards becoming Australia’s most accessible airport.”

Travel

Visited App Reveals Top 25 Global Wonders Rankings

Published

5 months ago

March 6, 2024

Ayesha Rashid

The travel app Visited, which was developed by Arriving In High Heels Corporation, has published a list of the top 25 most visited World Wonders. World Wonders can be found around the world, and include natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon ranked 12^thor man-made such as the Eiffel Tower which is the most visited wonder in the world. Big Ben is found in the 7^th spot, while driving distance Stonehenge comes in the 18^th spot, and the unique ride between England and France, the Channel Tunnel, comes in the 23^rd spot. Europe, followed by the United States have the highest number of visited wonders, which is not surprising as they are high on every traveler’s wish list. While the majority of World Wonders are found in Europe, a few exceptions include: Sydney Opera House, Chichen Itza, Marrakesh and the Great Wall of China.

The top 5 most visited World Wonders include: the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, Venice, La Sagrada Familia, and the Empire State Building.

The list is based on over 2,000,000 users who are avid travelers, that use the travel app, Visited. The app allows users to mark off famous places based on travel lists including most visited beaches, churches, opera houses, golf destinations, cruise ports and others. Other features of the app include: personalized travel map of where you have been or wish to visit, and travel stats and itinerary which ranks your top destinations based on your bucket list.

Travel

Live and Work on Mars? NASA’s Seeking Applicants

Published

5 months ago

March 4, 2024

Ayesha Rashid

or anyone who has ever dreamed of living on Mars, NASA is seeking potential “Martians” for a simulated mission to the red planet.

The space agency has put out a call for applicants to its second planned CHAPEA, or Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog, mission, which will begin in the spring of 2025.

For one year, a volunteer crew made up of four people will live and work inside Mars Dune Alpha at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The 3D-printed habitat, spanning 158 square metres, is designed to resemble the living conditions of a crew of astronauts that will land on the Martian surface in the future.

Understanding how a crew reacts to the challenges of a deep space mission is essential for planning how astronauts will explore the red planet.

Inside Mars Dune Alpha, participants will grow crops, maintain their habitat, exercise, carry out robotic operations and go on simulated spacewalks. And they will face real issues such as equipment failure, communication delays, environmental stressors and dealing with limited resources.

The application process is now open and will close on April 2, according to the agency.

NASA’s crew criteria

The CHAPEA program is looking for nonsmoking, healthy US citizens between the ages of 30 and 55 years old who are proficient in the English language.

“Applicants should have a strong desire for unique, rewarding adventures and interest in contributing to NASA’s work to prepare for the first human journey to Mars,” according to the agency.

When it comes to selecting the CHAPEA crew, the agency has specific criteria in mind that aligns with how they select astronauts.

The Mars simulated crew members need a master’s degree in a STEM field, such as engineering, mathematics, or biological, computer or physical science, or a related requirement like a medical degree, and must be able to pass the astronaut physical test. They also need two years of professional experience within their chosen field or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time on a jet aircraft.

The selection process timeline could take up to 13 months, and finalists will need to undergo medical, psychological and psychiatric tests to make sure they are mentally and physically suited for such a long and isolating mission.

And be sure to read the fine print: Food allergies or certain medications could cause applicants to be disqualified. While being screened, candidates can find out how they will be compensated for their time if selected.

A series of Mars simulations

The first CHAPEA mission, which began on June 25, 2023, is set to conclude on July 6. The main goals of the first mission have been monitoring and assessing the health and performance of the crew as they live in a confined space while dealing with the anticipated challenges of life on Mars.

The crew includes research scientist Kelly Haston, structural engineer Ross Brockwell, emergency medicine physician Nathan Jones and microbiologist Anca Selariu.

So far during their time in isolation, the crew has harvested their first crops, including leafy greens, peppers and tomatoes, using an indoor home gardening system. The team has also gone on numerous simulated “Marswalks” in a 110-square-metre red sandbox designed to mimic what it might be like to go on excursions on the Martian surface. And the crew continues to carry out biological and physical experiments and investigations.

The lessons learned from the inaugural CHAPEA mission will help NASA fill knowledge gaps about how to make sure Martian crews are healthy and have adequate supplies and support while living millions of miles away from Earth. Three total CHAPEA missions are planned, and all have similar goals.

“The second mission will be pretty similar to the first mission with the same goals in order to gather additional data across participants,” Anna Schneider, public affairs officer at Johnson Space Center, said.

Travel

Emirates Expands Services in Australia with Second Daily Flight to Perth

Published

6 months ago

February 12, 2024

Ayesha Rashid

Emirates will ramp up its operations in Australia by upgrading its second daily flight between Dubai and Brisbane to an A380 starting from October 1.

The airline will also add a second daily service between Dubai and Perth operated by a Boeing 777-300ER starting from 1 December.

From 1 October, Emirates’ second A380 flight EK430 to Brisbane will depart Dubai at 0230hrs, arriving in Brisbane at 2220hrs. Emirates’ return flight EK431 will depart Brisbane at 0155hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1005hrs. All times are local.

The additional flight to Perth will be operated by an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER. Starting from 1 December, Emirates flight EK424 will depart from Dubai at 0915hrs and arrives in Perth at 0005hrs the following day. Emirates’ return flight EK425 will depart from Perth at 0600hrs and arrives in Dubai at 1310hrs. All times are local.

Barry Brown, divisional vice president Australasia at Emirates, said: “We’re pleased to offer more choice and opportunities for Australians traveling from Brisbane and Perth through the ramp up of our operations. It’s a demonstration of the importance of both gateways for tourism and trade, and Emirates’ commitment to ensure convenient schedules and comfortable connections to and through Dubai. Whether it’s the advantage of seamless afternoon connections from Dubai to a wealth of destinations across Europe on the second Perth flight, or a full A380 experience to and from Brisbane to close to 50 cities served by our flagship, we’re creating access to diverse opportunities for business, leisure, culture, and more.

“The ramp up is also a testament to our commitment in enhancing global connectivity to our Australian gateways and supporting tourism and trade growth opportunities.”

Gert-Jan de Graaff, Brisbane Airport chief executive officer, said: “The A380 will allow up to 100,000 extra passengers per year to travel between Queensland and Europe, which is Brisbane’s second busiest international destination. Now in its 21st year of serving Brisbane, Emirates is our number one mover of people to and from Europe.

“Importantly, Emirates stands out from the pack as the leading airline in over the bay operations, reducing noise impacts on the local community. More than two-thirds of all overnight Emirates flights have been over Moreton Bay during the period from July to December 2023. We congratulate Emirates on that performance and look forward to continued collaboration across all airlines.