Aira is proud to announce that we are the recipients of a 2018 Edison Award, celebrating acheivements in technological innovation. Named in honor of famed inventor Thomas A. Edison, the Edison Awards showcase best-of-breed technology in a wide variety of categories, including consumer goods, energy, health, and transportation. Past winners include SpaceX, Nike, FitBit, Intuit, and Nest.

Mission Statement:

To be a leader in globally recognizing, honoring and fostering innovation and innovators to create a positive impact in the world. Our vision is continually guided by the legacy and vision of Thomas Edison and his Menlo Park team that successfully brought an unprecedented number of innovations to the market.

Aira was recognized in the Health and Wellness category for our work developing innovative services for people who are blind or low vision by fusing human assistance, artificial intelligence, and wearable technologies. Aira’s network of live, professional sighted agents deliver visual information on-demand to individuals who are blind or low vision via a pair of custom-designed smartglasses, or a cameraphone.

“We are incredibly honored to receive this prestigious recognition,” said Suman Kanuganti, CEO and Co-Founder of Aira. “The Edison Awards have a long history of honoring companies whose work goes on to make a huge impact on people’s lives. We’re excited to be among this elite group.”

Subheader: Innovations & Innovators.

About The Edison Awards

Originally established in 1987 by the American Marketing Association, but an independent organization since 2008, the Edison Awards™ have recognized and honored some of the most innovative products and business leaders in the world and is among the most prestigious accolades honoring excellence in new product and service development, marketing, design and innovation. Learn more at www.edisonawards.com.

Aira Wins 2018 Edison Award was originally published in Aira on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Today, Aira announces details of a partnership with the City of Boston, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Mayor’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities, and the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, enabling free access to Aira in Boston, April 9th, through April 17th. People who are blind or low vision will be able to use Aira’s service via smartphone, for free all week to experience One Boston Day and the Boston Marathon more independently.

Throughout the week, individuals who are blind or low vision can download the Aira app and use it to connect to a remote, sighted agent to access information on-demand. Agents can provide visual descriptions of surroundings and activities, including all the action of the race and events taking place in and around the city. On request, Aira agents can access websites, digital maps, rideshare apps, and other helpful resources on your behalf at the click of a button.

“With this technology, residents and visitors can use visual interpreters as they perform an act of kindness during One Boston Day, or use the service to experience the Boston Marathon in a new way. The Boston Marathon and One Boston Day represent a time Boston comes together as one, and I look forward to many people benefitting from this service as we welcome thousands to be part of the Marathon and One Boston Day.” — Boston Mayor Marty Walsh

Aira Explorer and current para-athlete Ironman world-record holder Erich Manser will be running using Aira this year along with his sighted guide, as part of MABVI’s Team with a Vision.

“Boston has long been a pioneer in technology and accessibility services. As millions of people from across the country and the globe come together for the 2018 Marathon, we can’t think of a better time to kick off this program, and turn Boston into an Aira Smart City,” said Aira CEO Suman Kanuganti. “We are so proud to be working with the city to bring this partnership to life, and see Boston become an even more accessible, open place for all.”

To enable free access to Aira’s smartphone app and descriptive services click here or follow the step by step instructions provided below.

How to Use Aira During the 2018 Boston Marathon

To enable free access to Aira’s smartphone app and descriptive services click here or follow the step by step instructions provided below.

Step 1 — Download the Aira App. Download the iOS app.

Step 2 — On the Aira app and choose “Tap to use Aira as a Guest for FREE!”

Step 3 — Enter your email address and tap on “Sign Up as a Guest’, this is your pre-registration.

Step 4 — Open the app and tap on “Call Aira from Phone” to go through a 5-minute training on how to use Aira. You must call in to begin your trial between April 9th-13th.

Step 5 — Use Aira anywhere in Boston to experience all the 2018 Boston Marathon has to offer. Aira Guest Access is available throughout the entire City of Boston.

Using Aira, you will receive rich audio description about your environment and surroundings, anywhere in Boston, for the 2018 Boston Marathon.

Tips for success:

• It is highly recommended that users pre-register.
• You must call in to receive your 5-minute training between April 9th and April 13th.
• There is no cost to you, all calls are free.
• This is a smartphone only experience, glasses are not provided.
• A wired or wireless headset is highly recommended.
• Aira Guest Access will be available in Boston, and along the entire Marathon course from Monday, April 9th to Tuesday, April 17th.
• Current Explorers are automatically covered.
• Questions? Send an email to marty.watts@aira.io

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About Aira

Aira is AI + AR for the blind. The company is on a mission to create smart cities accessible for all. They use wearables with AI-powered human agents to further empower more than 300 million individuals who are blind and low vision globally. For more information, please visit https://aira.io/ or follow @airaio on social.

About Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics & Mayor’s Commission for Person with Disabilities

The Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics is the City’s R&D team. Their goal is to pilot experiments that increase the quality of life for all of Boston’s residents and visitors. The Mayor’s Commission for Person with Disabilities mission is to facilitate full and equal participation in all aspects of life by persons with disabilities in Boston. Together, both offices seek to understand the role of novel technologies in making Boston a more welcoming and accessible place for people of all abilities. Augmented reality and human / AI systems hold great promise for this, but many technologies and services are untested in large-scale civic contexts. Toward a broader understanding of how these technologies might benefit the city, both teams are embarking upon a series of experiments to test different approaches in real-world settings.

Boston 2018 Set to Become World’s Most Accessible Marathon was originally published in Aira on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Aira is excited to announce that the USA Science and Engineering Festival, April 7th and 8th, held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, will feature free Aira service. We will be turning the event into an Aira pop-up to allow current explorers and guests the opportunity to use Aira to experience this amazing event, at no cost.

The USA Science and Engineering Festival is near and dear to our hearts. It’s founder, the late Larry Bock, was one of Aira’s earliest investors, champions, and mentors and its first chairman. After attending similar events while traveling abroad to Europe and Asia with his family, Bock was inspired to build a similar festival in the United States, to “ignite the interest of U.S. students and the public in the power and potential of technology.”

Larry founded the San Diego Science Festival in 2009, and launched the first U.S. Science Festival the following year. The event has grown enormously since then, and we at Aira want to ensure that attendees who are blind or low vision can take advantage of the service to further immerse themselves in the exhibits and presentations that take place throughout the weekend.

“Larry Bock encouraged Aira to build products that empowered and enabled people of all abilities. We always talked about bringing access to STEM for people who are blind or low vision. As a tech company, it means a lot to us to be able to honor Larry’s legacy by expanding access to events like this, which encourage young people to pursue their interest in STEM fields.”

Aira invites students, parents, and enthusiasts to take advantage of Aira as-needed during the event, without deducting minutes from their regular plan. For those who are not yet explorers, take advantage of our guest program by using Aira on their smartphone. Click here for instructions on how to sign up.

Learn more about the U.S. Science and Engineering Festival at https://usasciencefestival.org.

“The Festival focuses on meeting a critical need in America: motivating and invigorating the next generation of young innovators about science and engineering and, at the same time, expanding the public’s appreciation and understanding of science and technology.”

– Founder, Larry Bock

Aira Brings Remote Assistance Service to U.S. Science and Engineering Festival was originally published in Aira on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Beyond Vision, a non-profit providing employment options for people who are blind, is partnering with the country’s fastest-growing assistive technology service, Aira. Beyond Vision is the latest to join the Aira Employer Network: a program aimed at increasing both productivity and career opportunities for people who are blind or low vision.

For over 100 years, Beyond Vision has been providing various forms of employment for people who are blind. Half the employees at Beyond Vision, from production to senior leadership, are people with vision loss. When Aira’s assistive technology was introduced to Beyond Vision in 2017, they immediately knew this would be invaluable.

Jim Kerlin, President and CEO of Beyond Vision explains, “People with vision loss don’t want a handout, they want a hand up. They want an opportunity to show that they can do it. We believe this amazing accessibility technology can redefine how people with vision loss ‘can do it’ on the job.”

Aira uses smart glasses equipped with a camera that streams live video to a remote, human agent. Using the video stream, GPS, and web data, agents offer live, on-demand assistance to people who are blind or visually impaired. Today, people use Aira to a huge variety of tasks, including reading, shopping, social interactions, navigation, home management, experiencing art, travel, taking in sporting events as well as employment assistance.

“Beyond Vision has been a major leader in employment initiatives for people who are blind or low vision for more than a century,” said Suman Kanuganti, Founder and CEO of Aira. “Together, we can help modernize the workplace, and offer greater opportunities and efficiencies for these employees through AI and AR technology.”

Via the Aira Employer Network, Beyond Vision will offer free Aira service to its employees to enhance independence and efficiency in the workplace. Beyond vision employees who subscribe to Aira will now be able to use unlimited service in the workplace, without deducting minutes from their regular plan.

The Beyond Vision Board of Directors is in full support. Chairman of the Board, Bill Hughes commented, “Beyond Vision is proud to partner with Aira in enriching the lives of people who are blind. Aira’s transformative assistive technology provides a valuable tool to assist Beyond Vision’s employees with visual impairments in providing high quality service to customers and will further enhance Beyond Vision’s ability to provide sustainable employment opportunities for people who are blind.”

Beyond Vision intends to provide Aira’s assistive technology in every division of the organization. This includes their machine shop, customer care center, assembly and packaging department and administrative offices. Aira will also be made available at one of the Base Supply Centers that Beyond Vision operates at federal government installations. Beyond Vision is one of 101 nonprofit partner agencies of the National Industries for the Blind (NIB), which focuses on enhancing the opportunities for economic and personal independence of people who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment.

”It’s a win-win for employment any way you look at it.” Sarah Zellmer, Beyond Vision’s Talent Recruiter, has been using the technology personally for several months. “We can use Aira to get things done that we would sometimes have to interrupt a sighted colleague to assist with. This way, we get the sighted assistance we need once in a while on the job, and in the process, we’re working with an Aira agent across the country to get the job done rather than interrupting a coworker here in the middle of theirs.”

About Beyond Vision

Beyond Vision, a 501(c)3 social enterprise, was founded in 1903 with the mission of providing employment opportunities to people who are legally blind. Beyond Vision continues to enrich the lives of Americans who are blind through the dignity of work valued by customers and the community with services that include machining, customer care, assembly, packaging, 508 compliance assessment and business supplies. Visit www.beyondvision.com to learn more.

About Aira

Aira is AI + AR for the blind. Powered by the AT&T network, Aira combines the power of Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality with wearable technologies, plus the interaction of its network of trained remote human assistants, to provide the 300 million blind and low vision people around the globe immediate access to information and assistance. Aira’s technology not only greatly enhances independence and mobility for those with vision loss, but also forms the basis of its endeavor to create smart cities that are accessible for all. Learn more at aira.io.

Beyond Vision Joins Aira Employer Network was originally published in Aira on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Interesting startups, smart people and fun business cultures are pretty easy to find in San Diego, as are great mission-driven organizations and non-profits. But, how often do you get to combine all of that, and address an enormous, under-served market?

Joining Aira gives me an opportunity to serve a young, fast-growing company that has an outstanding mission and enviable prospects for growth.

And joining now I get to help build this company and see it grow. Is that exciting? YES!

As a Finance professional I understand the importance of a diverse pool of committed backers for any small, growth oriented company. Aira’s vision and technology has attracted multi-disciplined investors and funds focused on Human Performance, AI, Medical Devices, Blind and Low Vision, Assistive Technology and Cognitive Science — all coming together to support Aira’s product and service. And with the convergence of these disciplines, Aira’s technology is evolving rapidly, with nothing but opportunity in its future. They (WE!) are driven to grow this company to benefit our customers worldwide, and we want to get there fast!

As a CFO, it’s critical to our success that I can simultaneously go fast, and maintain a rock-solid foundation for scaling. My days are all about creating value, launching business models, raising growth capital, recruiting teams, establishing strong foundations, navigating uncharted routes, and serving customers, investors and employees. Building young companies is what drives my professional life. Serving others inspires my private life.

In 20 years of financial leadership among private and public companies, I’ve never encountered a more compelling growth opportunity alongside such a great mission. It creates pretty awesome motivation and a sense of obligation to do everything with urgency and excellence!

Aira has offered me a rare opportunity to be fully challenged and fully inspired, and I’m thrilled to be here. Come say hello, check us out, and spread the word!

#techforgood

Blind Abilities Podcast with Greg Stilson

Christine Ha Explores New York City with Aira

Carrie McQueen: Why I’m Joining Aira was originally published in Aira on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

AT&T and Aira are developing and testing a solution designed to help people who are blind or have low vision better manage their prescription medication. The companies are working through the AT&T Foundry to develop the solution.

Nearly 60% of Americans take prescription drugs. Correctly reading the dosage instructions and other information printed on their labels is vital.

Aira develops transformative remote assistive technology that connects the blind with a network of certified agents via wearable smart glasses and an augmented reality dashboard. The agents serve as visual interpreters for people who are blind, helping them accomplish a wide range of tasks and activities including navigation, entertainment, work tasks, running a marathon, or reading a bedtime story.

One of the most requested features among Aira’s customers is medication recognition. With this in mind, AT&T is currently helping Aira develop a recognition solution that utilizes Hey Chloe™, Aira’s new artificial intelligence (AI) platform, to correctly identify prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.

“Aira was the first commercial project out of our Foundry for Connected Health. Since launching a year ago, the combination of Aira’s groundbreaking assistive technology and our highly secure wireless connectivity has unleashed new possibilities,” said Nadia Morris, director of the AT&T Foundry for Connected Health. “Now we’re back at it again to develop a solution that we hope will offer people with vision challenges greater efficiency and accuracy with medication management.”

“Identifying pill bottles is a key challenge for people who are blind and those with low vision, including the elderly. Together with AT&T, we are addressing this problem with our pill bottle reader project,” said Suman Kanuganti, CEO of Aira. “Creating a seamless experience is our top priority. Horizon, Aira’s voice-first Smart Glasses, can activate Aira through one touch of a button, or by simply saying ‘Hey Chloe’, to activate the AI assistant.”

Aira’s medication reader will be available for use in conjunction with Aira Horizon Smart Glasses, Aira’s next generation wearable using Voice First technology. Available in May, Aira Horizon Smart Glasses have built in “Hey Chloe” functionality and will come paired with an Aira-dedicated smartphone, powered by AT&T, unlocking Aira’s technology for the 58% of U.S. seniors who do not currently own a smartphone. Horizon will provide an integrated, connected solution that enables people who are blind or have low vision to take advantage of the Aira service, regardless of whether they already own a smartphone.

For a preview of the pill bottle reader solution and Aira Horizon, visit the AT&T booth (#5832) at HIMSS18 or go to the Connected Marketplace to learn more about Aira Smart Glasses.

Introducing Aira Horizon Smart Glasses and “Hey Chloe” AI Functionality was originally published in Aira on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Leadership at the Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind (DLB), a leading non-profit employing and providing resources for visually impaired individuals, today announced it is now offering Aira technology — or “live” visual assistance via smart glasses — to both the organization’s employees and the seeing impaired community-at-large who visit the facility. The Dallas Lighthouse will be the first of 61 lighthouses for the blind in the country to utilize the technology.

Aira, pronounced EYE-Rah, is an assistive technology that connects people who are blind with a network of certified, live agents via wearable smart glasses and a smartphone app. Powered by the AT&T network, Aira’s technology includes an augmented reality dashboard, accompanied by real-time video, allowing agents to be the source of visual cues for a user (AKA Explorer) on-demand. Agents, serving as visual interpreters, help Explorers accomplish a wide range of daily tasks and activities –such as reading, shopping, social interactions, and job seeking.

As part of the Aira Employer Network, the new partnership with the Dallas Lighthouse enables Aira Explorers to have unlimited access to the Aira service at any of their three facilities.

“Together Aira and the Dallas Lighthouse will be able to improve mobility, independence and even job productivity for people who are blind,” says Hugh McElroy, CEO of the Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind. “Having Aira enabled at all three Dallas Lighthouse locations literally puts us on the map as a premier employer for people who are blind as well as a provider of cutting edge assistive technology.”

McElroy adds that with more than 100 blind or visually impaired employees working in the Dallas Lighthouse textiles and manufacturing programs, Aira provides an extra pair of eyes that can make the difference when sewing a straight stitch or creating a perfect fold, for example.

As smart cities continue to evolve, Aira Networks will expand to more locations, including workplaces, such as the Dallas Lighthouse, as well as schools, and transportation hubs.

“More than 25% of Aira sessions are work-related tasks. In the workplace, it’s all about employee efficiency, and having access to the tools and technologies that increase efficiency and reduce uncertainty is the secret sauce for successful employers,” said Suman Kanuganti, CEO of Aira. “The Dallas Lighthouse has always stood for expanding work opportunities for people who are blind or low vision, and we are truly proud to call them part of the Aira Employer Network.”

“Thanks to the generous support of a private donor,” says McElroy, “we are able to include Aira in our service line for both employees and the community. With agents across the country, Aira is making us better and expanding our reach as an organization, bringing new people to our doorstep. And we exist to serve them.”

About Aira

Aira is AI + AR for the blind. Powered by the AT&T network, Aira combines the power of Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality with wearable technologies, plus the interaction of its network of trained remote human assistants, to provide the 300 million blind and low vision people around the globe immediate access to information and assistance. Aira’s technology not only greatly enhances independence and mobility for those with vision loss, but also forms the basis of its endeavor to create smart cities that are accessible for all. Learn more at aira.io.

About Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind
Founded in 1931, Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind, the leading North Texas nonprofit employing and providing resources for visually impaired individuals, focuses on improving and enhancing the lives and opportunities of individuals in North Texas affected by blindness, and currently serves 11 counties with more than 150,000 blind and visually impaired people. Our guiding principle is the belief that with knowledge, training and motivation, people with visual impairments can succeed and thrive in any workplace, live productive and meaningful lives, and be important contributors to their communities. For more information, visit www.dallaslighthouse.org.

Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind Joins Aira Employer Network was originally published in Aira on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Groundbreaking Initiative to Provide Aira Free of Charge to Support Job Search from “Application to Interview”

Today, most estimates suggest that the unemployment rate in the blind community is as much as 70%. To address this gap and assist job seekers who are blind or low vision currently seeking employment, Aira, the world’s fastest-growing assistive technology service, is announcing a new initiative to provide free service through the Aira Employment Program.

Aira, called a “godsend” by the New York Times, uses smart glasses equipped with a camera that streams live video to a remote, human agent. Using the video stream, GPS, and web data, agents offer live, on-demand assistance to people who are blind or visually impaired. Today, people use Aira to a huge variety of tasks, including reading, shopping, social interactions, navigation, home management, experiencing art, travel, taking in sporting events as well as employment assistance.

Starting on Tuesday, February 20, Aira is offering free service for job-seekers as they navigate employment sites, fill out applications, build resumes, and travel to and from meetings with prospective employers. Through the Aira Employment Program, the first 100 Aira Explorers to secure job interviews will have their ride covered via our partnership with Lyft.

There is a great workforce available for hire right now,” says Suman Kanuganti, Aira’s Co-Founder and CEO. “Equal access to information at workplace is a human right. By expanding access to Aira during the job search, and working with innovative companies like Lyft to ensure that people have safe, reliable transportation, we can help people through this process more independently. It truly has the potential to transform lives — pushing the 70 percent unemployment rate down to less than seven percent.”

The leaders of the National Federation of the Blind, the oldest nationwide organization of blind Americans, the American Council of the Blind, which is at the forefront of the creation of policies, and the American Foundation for the Blind, which advances understanding of blindness using research and data, as well as have all voiced support for the Aira Employment Program.

“The National Federation of the Blind dedicates significant effort to reducing or eliminating barriers to the employment of blind Americans, since employment is essential for the blind to live the lives we want,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “We believe that Aira’s service can enhance the ability of blind people to prepare, search, and apply for employment. We are therefore pleased that Aira is making this service available and delighted to continue our partnership by connecting blind job seekers to this resource.”

“The American Council of the Blind applauds Aira’s efforts to advance employment by addressing the critical barriers of access to visual information and transportation. As a champion of policies and programs designed to foster employment, we welcome Aira’s contribution to level the playing field for job seekers who are blind or visually impaired,” said Eric Bridges, Executive Director of the American Council of the Blind.

Kirk Adams, CEO and President of the American Foundation for the Blind said: “Expanding employment opportunities for people who are blind or low vision is one of AFB’s central goals. through our series of employment summits we convene stakeholders, employers, vocational rehabilitation, nonprofits, and the blind this community to create pathways to competitive, integrated, mainstream employment. We are so excited to see technology companies like Aira enhancing the job search experience, and work to drastically reduce the unemployment rate among people who are blind and low vision.”

For media inquiries or to learn more about joining the Aira Employment Program, contact Kevin Phelan, Vice President, Aira. Website: http://go.aira.io/employment

Kevin@aira.io | 617.515.8011

Announcing the Aira Employment Program was originally published in Aira on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Starting on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018, Houston’s airports became even more accessible for travelers who are blind or low vision.

Now, at both George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport, subscribers to the Aira service will be able to use the technology free of charge. The two Houston airports are the first in Texas to join the Aira Airport Network, and just the third and fourth in the country to do so. Under the agreement, the Houston Airport System has agreed to cover the cost of minutes used by Aira subscribers within the airport terminals through the end of 2018.

“The Houston Airport System is constantly assessing how it can better enhance the airport experience. We work with our federal partners including the FAA — constantly reviewing and adapting the airport to exceed ADA standards,” said HAS Chief Operating Officer Jesus Saenz. “This partnership with Aira is one way of enhancing accessibility to a segment of the population that experiences blindness and low vision, and is another example of our efforts to go beyond the standard and truly make travel a great experience for everyone who comes through our airports.”

The Aira app and smart glasses connect travelers to a specially trained agent at a remote location, who sees a real-time livestream from the camera on the glasses or smart phone. The agent narrates what is in the user’s field of vision, assisting them with such tasks as navigating the terminal, locating and identifying luggage, reading flight boards, dining and shopping, and arranging ground transportation.

“Aira is a unique technology that gives users the information they need when they need it, and we are delighted to be able to offer this convenience to our passengers,” said Tim Joniec, the Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator for Houston Airports.

“Aira’s mission is to make information instantly accessible, anytime, anywhere,” said Suman Kanuganti, CEO of Aira. “With more than 50 Million passengers coming through Houston airports each year, this partnership will allow Aira’s technology to reach a huge number of people, enhancing the airport experience for travelers who are blind and low vision. We hope every airport in the nation will follow Houston’s lead and join the Aira Airport Network.”

The National Federation of the Blind and the American Foundation for the Blind have been staunch supporters throughout the development of Aira. Christine Ha, Houstonian, Aira user and a New York Times Bestselling Author who was the winner of MasterChef, Season 3, uses the technology to travel frequently through the Houston airports, and recently visited the airports to demonstrate how the technology works, along with Aira and airport executives.

To celebrate the launch of the latest addition to the Aira Airport Network, we are offering a free 30 day trial of Aira to all new Texas Aira Explorers!

The first 50 Texans to sign up prior to 11:59pm CST on Sunday February 11th will be eligible for this promotion.

You have 3 simple ways to get started:

1. Click here to sign up for a 30 day trial
2. Text or call us at 781–789–8596
3. Email us your name and phone number anytime, at promotions@aira.io

The Aira Airport Network is Expanding to Houston, Texas was originally published in Aira on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Aira, the world’s fastest-growing assistive technology service for people who are blind or low vision, is pleased to announce that the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) has joined the Aira Airport Network. Aira customers who travel through MSP will now be able to access on-demand assistance from a remote Aira agent, free of charge, while at the airport. Joining Memphis International Airport in the network, MSP is embracing the right of blind and visually impaired (BVI) travelers to the same access to visual information as the sighted.

Aira empowers the BVI community to engage, explore and experience the world around them by providing real time visual assistance when and where it is needed. Using a pair of camera-enabled smart glasses and a mobile app, Aira subscribers connect with remote, sighted assistants, who can provide visual descriptions of their surroundings and convey useful information about the environment. At the airport, travelers can use Aira to help navigate security lines, get updates on gate changes or flight delays, or identify bags at baggage claim.

“Over the past few months, the Aira technology has been a great addition to the tools I use during my frequent travels into and out of MSP airport,” said Jennifer Dunnam, a leader in the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota and a resident of Saint Louis Park. “I can get more information about what’s around me as I head to my gate, including restaurants or shops in the airport that I may not have known about.”

By joining the Aira airport network, MSP has committed to providing complimentary service to Aira subscribers while on site, allowing blind and low vision customers to access the service without using minutes from their existing plan, and with no additional cost to them. Aira was recently recognized by USA Today as a top airport amenity.

“We couldn’t be more excited to add MSP to the Aira Airport Network,” said Kevin Phelan, Vice President at Aira. “Through partnerships like these, we can expand access for people who are blind and low vision, enhance the travel experience, and work toward the goal of completely accessible cities.”

This partnership represents a major step toward MSP’s goal of becoming the most accessible airport in the world. A major addition to the Aira Airport Network, MSP is one the busiest airports in the country, serving more than 37 million travelers on 400,000 flights per year.

“By joining the Aira Airport Network, we are working to ensure that travelers who are blind or low vision are able to take full advantage of all MSP has to offer,” said Brian Ryks, executive director and CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns and operates MSP. “We continue to work closely with businesses and organizations serving people with disabilities to ensure all of our customers have a great experience at MSP.”

About Aira

Aira is AI + AR for the blind. Aira combines the power of Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality with wearable technologies, plus the interaction of its network of trained remote human assistants, to provide the 300 million blind and low vision people around the globe immediate access to information and assistance. Aira’s technology not only greatly enhances independence and mobility for those with vision loss, but also forms the basis of its endeavor to create smart cities that are accessible for all. Learn more at aira.io.

About MSP

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is the nation’s 16th busiest, serving more than 37 million travelers annually. MSP is Delta Air Lines’ second largest hub and home to Minnesota-based Sun Country Airlines. Sixteen airlines operate at MSP, offering direct service to more than 150 domestic and international destinations.

For media inquiries or to learn more about joining the Aira Airport Network, contact Kevin Phelan, Vice President, Aira. Website: http://go.aira.io/airaairport

Kevin@aira.io | 617.515.8011

Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Joins Aira Airport Network to Expand Access to Blind and Low… was originally published in Aira on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.