TRAVELER AND TOURIST
TECH TALK
AWARD WINNING PEDESTRIAN NAVIGATION APP WALC
W
alc is an app for all smartphones that gives turn-by-turn navigation for walkers with visual cues. Directions are based on landmarks like banks or restaurants, instead of instructing users to walk north, south, east, or west. Perfect for travel, exploring or just getting some fresh air while being environmentally friendly, Walc ensures you never walk the wrong way again. The app recently won the McDonald’s innovation Transportation Challenge as well as the BMW iVentures Future of Mobility Competition.
their experiences of city streets without getting lost. It is the first and only navigation app that gives directions based on things you can see. Instead of the usual ‘Head North’, the app pinpoints your location, and navigates you based on the landmarks around. For example, “Head left at the Starbucks”. Imagine walking around a new city, learning all about your surroundings without looking at your phone. That day is not far away. Bose’s new AR technology will track your gaze to know which direction you’re facing — goodbye little blue dot — and Walc will guide you to your destination.
Recently Walc collaborated with Bose to introduce Audio Augmented Reality Platform to the public, unveiling the future of mobile sound in eyewear prototype. The glasses allow you to hear, making travel easier by transforming sightseeing into sight hearing, like telling you which way to turn toward your departure gate while checking in at the airport.
The app is the brainchild of young entrepreneur, Allison McGuire, who left her previous dream job on Capitol Hill to pursue her Walc is responsible for dream of creating creating the travel portion a pedestrian of the platform. The app navigation app allows users to leave the Image provided by brand around her passion car behind and explore for exploring on foot – and is quickly and walking, enabling people to share their becoming the new ‘Waze’ of the walking world. experiences of city streets and fulfilling the The navigation app enables people to share vision for a walkable world. Walc.me *TNT*
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