BMTC Launches ‘OnBoard’ Device to Aid Visually Impaired Bus Commuters

Speedy Summary:

• Bengaluru Metropolitan transport Corporation (BMTC) has introduced the OnBoard device to assist visually impaired commuters in navigating city buses.
• Developed by IIT Delhi and Raised Lines Foundation (RLF), supported by Continental Automotive Components India Pvt. Ltd. and Enable India.
• The system consists of a handheld remote (used by commuters) and a receiver unit installed in buses near the entry door, enabling two-way communication for bus identification and safe boarding/alighting.
• Features include identifying selected buses within a 30-meter radius, weather resistance, durability in rain, dust, heat, and improved passenger safety protocols for longer halts during boarding/disembarkation.
• Pilot project tested with 25 BMTC buses on routes frequently used by visually impaired passengers; positive feedback led to approval for broader installation across 500 buses by August 2025.
• Initial implementation began with five routes using diesel-powered buses after required technical modifications were made for compatibility with existing systems.
• Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy emphasized the initiative as empowering visually impaired citizens while urging broader adoption nationally.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The OnBoard device represents an critically important step forward in inclusive public transportation infrastructure within India, showcasing how technology can address accessibility challenges effectively. By focusing on enhancing independence for visually impaired individuals via route identification systems and safety measures tailored to their needs, this initiative marks notable progress toward ensuring equitable mobility solutions.

The early success of BMTC’s pilot program indicates high adaptability among users benefiting from reduced anxiety during travel-highlighting it’s potential as a scalable model nationwide if adopted thoughtfully across states facing similar challenges in accommodating disabled commuters’ needs.

Such innovations also highlight how collaborations between public transport agencies and private entities like Continental Automotive Components can yield impactful societal benefits when driven with purposeful intent towards inclusivity-a direction worth exploring further.

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