Social Experiment for Mobility Assistance Using "NaviLens" at Niigata Station Bus Terminal Begins Mobility Assistance Social Experiment at Niigata Station Bus Terminal Begins

Oasis Center for Independence of Persons with Disabilities (located in Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture; Representative Director: Kiyoko Kojima; hereinafter "Oasis"), a non-profit organization, with the support of Measurements, Inc. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Naoki Uehama; hereinafter "Measurements"), a social experiment for mobility support using the next-generation voice code "NaviLens" was started at the Niigata Station Bus Terminal in March 2026 to improve convenience for the visually impaired and other people with mobility difficulties.

This is the first full-scale social experiment using "NaviLens" for mobility assistance in Niigata Prefecture.

Niigata Station bus terminal where NAVILENS is installed

What is NAVILENS?

It is a mobility assistance application originated in Spain. By reading the accessible Navilence codes posted in various locations, the application displays information such as the content, direction, and distance of the destination, and reads it out loud. In addition to assisting with transportation within the facility, the system can also read out information on bus and train stops and times. If "Naviance" can ease the anxiety of the visually impaired when they move around alone, they will become more active and their world will expand. This application is designed to provide such assistance.

*"NaviLens" is an app to ease anxiety and cannot detect obstacles or sudden events. Please use a white cane or guide dog to ensure your own safety.

■Purpose of this Mobility Assistance Social Experiment

With the opening of the Niigata Station Bus Terminal, we will verify the effectiveness of the voice guidance system to support the safe and smooth movement of visually impaired persons in the new environment. In particular, we aim to establish the system as a "universal design of information" that complements existing physical infrastructure such as Braille blocks.

Screen image of NaviLens

■Comments from Oasis Representative Director KIYOKO KOJIMA

The Niigata Station bus terminal is now undergoing a major transition. The former switchback system of platforms had the "sound of human whistles" guiding buses back and the voice of the information desk. It was, without a doubt, a reassuring "sound marker" for the visually impaired.

The new terminal is very convenient and splendid, but its vastness and structural changes can make the visually impaired and elderly feel uneasy and reluctant to go out. We wanted to transform this "vast space" into a "safe and secure place" again through the power of technology. Fortunately, Niigata City commissioned us to conduct a social experiment, and on March 30, we were able to complete "Naviance," which can give shape to the earnest voices of the people involved.

This is a big step toward a symbiotic society where people who are anxious about their mobility and walking can still say "please help me" when they are in trouble and support each other, together with the power of technology. This is also the start of "continuous efforts" to make further improvements. We will continue to do our utmost to make Niigata Station a place where everyone can walk with a smile and not feel lost.

Comments from Naoki Uehama, Representative Director of Measurements

The Niigata Station bus terminal covers a vast area from platform 1 to platform 18, and visually impaired people find "NAVILENS" useful to smoothly reach the desired platform. We hope that "NAVILENS" will be an effective tool not only for the visually impaired, but also for wheelchair users and tourists, including foreigners, and we look forward to the further development of the Niigata Station area through the use of "NAVILENS".

About Oasis

Since 1994, Oasis has been supporting the independence of visually impaired people who have difficulty in seeing, daily life, and work, in the spirit of "Teach them how to fish rather than give them the fish they have caught.

For those who have difficulty in working, we provide support so that they can continue working without quitting their jobs. We will face and think about it together.

We never leave you alone. We are engaged in various activities as a companion.

About us

Mejaments is a consulting firm that provides website consulting, access analysis support, and web accessibility diagnosis. 2018 saw the launch of Sunnybank, a crowdsourcing service specialized for people with disabilities. Sunnybank is working to develop and expand its crowdsourcing system in order to create "jobs that can be done by people with disabilities" and "jobs that people with disabilities want to do. In October 2022, we will also launch a fee-charging job placement business to support employment of people with disabilities.

Company Profile

Company name: Measurements Inc.

Representative Director: Naoki Uehama

Location ： Shinbo Building 606, 6-13-7 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Business : Website consulting, access analysis support,

　　　　　　 Web accessibility diagnosis

　　　　　　 Operation of "Sunnybank," a crowdsourcing service specialized for people with disabilities

URL ： https://www.measurements.co.jp/