I walked down the cereal aisle in my local Safeway looking for a box of Rice Krispies. It was Christmastime and I was planning to make Rice Krispie treats. The only difference between how I was doing this and my fellow shoppers was that I had my iPhone in my hand, with its camera more or less pointing toward the shelf of cereal boxes. Soon, I heard, "Kellogg's Corn Flakes, breakfast cereal. I moved the phone slightly to the left and I heard, "Kellogg's Rice Krispies, breakfast cereal." I flicked to the "Locate Rice Krispies" button and the app began giving me directions "Below, to your left." It guided me until I touched the box.
In mid-December 2022, Kellogg's Cereal announced that NaviLens-equipped boxes of Kellogg's Corn Flakes, Special K Original, Rice Krispies, and Crispix could now be found at retailers nationwide in the U.S.
The NaviLens code is at the bottom left corner on the front of the box. On the right side of the front, it says:
"This box features NaviLens technology to assist blind and low-vision adults in the U.S. With the NaviLens code and app, users can now easily find this product and hear its name, nutrition, and allergen information.
Kellogg's Better Days Kelloggs.com/BetterDays
Kellogg is proud to be the first food company to feature this technology on its packaging in the U.S. Accessibility: part of our commitment to create better days for 3 billion people by the end of 2030."
What is NaviLens?
NaviLens codes, also called tags, are printable codes that can be applied to signage, food packaging, practically anything with a surface. NaviLens didn't start out as a labeling tool. In 2015, NaviLens and the University of Alicante in Spain began conducting research on scannable codes that could be used for navigation. The codes needed to be scannable from a distance, and at a wide angle, and they could not require the phone to focus on the code to read it.
The result was NaviLens tags which are enhanced QR codes. Traditional QR codes are only black and white and require the user to be within a few inches of the tag to read it. NaviLens codes are a 5-by-5 colored matrix. They contain four colors, blocks in cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. They can be scanned from as far away as 60 feet, and even farther with very large codes. The distance depends on the size of the code. They do not require the camera to focus, and can be read in a fraction of a second. The code can be read from up to an 80-degree angle on either side giving the user a 160-degree field.
An advantage of traditional QR codes is that the data is stored within the code. They can be created by anyone and, once created, they can be read by anyone. But they are completely unsuited for navigation, or any application that relies on detecting the code from a distance.
NaviLens codes can even be configured to give different information depending on the angle from which they are scanned. This means they can be used to give accurate directional information to users who approach an intersection from various directions.
The Murcia, Spain-based company first began by installing NaviLens codes at bus stops and subway stations. They quickly expanded to schools, hospitals, museums, and other public buildings where printed signage directs visitors to specific locations within the building.
Outdoor Wayfinding
In outdoor situations, NaviLens codes have proven to be a great solution to solving the infamous "last 30 feet" problem. Blind people have a number of very useful technologies to assist them in getting close to a desired location-GPS apps that can guide a person to a specific street address, but it can be difficult to find the front door of the building; or, transit apps that can guide a blind person to the nearest bus stop, but where is the pole marking the actual stop, so that standing near it will signal the bus driver that someone wants to get on the bus. NaviLens codes can guide a blind person to the actual spot, i.e. a door, a pole, or any other precise location.
Indoor Wayfinding
NaviLens codes have been used in such facilities as bus stations, train stations, and airports, as well as museums, libraries, and office buildings. In addition to being used with existing signage on doors, walls, and posts, they have even been incorporated into floor tiles to provide directional information. The codes have the advantage of only being detected by the app when actually in view, so the user does not detect signage that is on the other side of a wall, or around a corner.
In the United States, NaviLens has been deployed in a few locations. They are currently being used in New York on the number 23 bus line in Manhattan as well as the Jay Street MetroTech subway station in Brooklyn. They are also being used on the Los Angeles Metro system as well as on bus services in San Antonio, Texas. The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort has also installed NaviLens codes in their facility, creating an environment for everyone within the museum.
The Mobile Apps
NaviLens codes can be accessed with two different apps: NaviLens and NaviLens Go. Both apps are available for iOS and Android devices. The NaviLens app is designed for blind users and delivers the information audibly. NaviLens Go is meant for low vision or sighted users. Both apps deliver information in the default language of the mobile device. The apps can provide information in 34 different languages.
After launching the NaviLens app, it is immediately able to find a code within its view. After the information is spoken, shaking the phone will repeat it. The Main Menu button at the bottom left of the screen reveals a menu containing Settings, My Favorites, History, Siri shortcuts, Request NaviLens codes, NaviLens Friends and Family (share and backup your codes), Problems or Suggestions, Write a Review, Help, Terms and Conditions, About, and What's New.
Recently, NaviLens introduced a new feature, NaviLens 360 Indoor Wayfinding Routes. This lets users record personal routes in an unknown indoor space. A special code needs to be used to define the start of the route. The user is offered the option of recording a new route or following an existing route. When following the route, the app will indicate the direction of the next point.
Personal NaviLens Codes
For individuals to use the codes for their own labeling tasks, NaviLens provides a kit of various sized codes. The codes are delivered in five configurations:
A full sheet with 1 code (200 mm) about 8 inches square;
A full sheet with 4 codes (75 mm) about 3 inches square;
A full sheet with 16 codes (35 mm) about 1.5 inches square;
A full sheet with 64 codes (18 mm) about ¾-inch square; and
A full sheet with 25 tags formatted for Avery L7120 labels (35 mm) about 1.5 inches square.
The sheets are created so the tags are positioned symmetrically. NaviLens recommends that, once printed, a user fold the sheet to correspond with the number of tags printed on it. Then, tear the sheet along the fold lines. This results in a somewhat untidy appearance, and there is no good way to adhere the tag to an object.
The codes that are formatted for Avery labels would seem to be a better choice. However, L7120 labels are for A4-size paper, a common size used in Europe and are not available in the United States.
To function optimally, the codes should be printed in color. However, they will work if printed in shades of gray.
These personal codes can be shared with up to five other individuals. There is also a school and association kit available with pre-defined codes for common locations such as men's room, women's room, cafeteria, and so forth.
The personal codes can be obtained from within the NaviLens app by selecting the Main Menu button at the bottom left of the main screen and then selecting "Request NaviLens Codes for Personal Use," then "I want to receive blank NaviLens codes." You will be asked to enter your name and e-mail address. After tapping the "I want to Receive the Codes" button, the codes will arrive as an e-mail attachment within a few minutes.
You can also request a NaviLens 360 wayfinding route code, and the kits with pre-recorded codes from this same location.
Conclusion
NaviLens is one of several efforts to provide wayfinding and labeling information via a smartphone app. NaviLens has a couple of advantages over similar technologies. Because the codes can be detected from such a great distance, and they don't require the user to focus the camera, they are easy to use, inexpensive to install, and the app runs on readily available devices.
