Change Makers: A Podcast from APH

American Printing House has a big goal: a future that belongs to everyone. For more than 160 years APH has created products that provide access for people who are blind or low vision. To create a world that welcomes everyone, we know it's going to take a lot of change makers. Join us as we highlight the people who are making the biggest difference in our field. We'll talk to everyone from CEOs to students. Know someone we should highlight? Email communications@aph.org.

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Change Makers: A Podcast from APH

What's New at GoodMaps

July 11, 2024 • American Printing House • Episode 102

On this episode of Change Makers, we are learning what’s new at GoodMaps. It’s an exciting time for the indoor navigation company, as they look to launch their new app, grow their indoor mapping locations, and work to incorporate future technology into their newest products. After we talk to GoodMaps, we’ll get our monthly update on the Connect the Dots events.

Podcast Participants (In order of appearance)

Narrator
Sara Brown, APH Public Relations Manager
Theresa Reno-Weber, GoodMaps CEO
Erin Sigmund, APH Community Relations and Policy Advisor

Additional Links

Narrator: 0:00

<silence> Welcome to Change Makers , a podcast from APH. We're talking to people from around the world who are creating positive change in the lives of people who are blind or have low vision. Here's your host.

Sara Brown: 0:15

Hello and welcome to Change Makers. I'm APH's Public Relations Manager, Sara Brown . And on today's episode, we're learning what's new at GoodMaps. It's an exciting time for the indoor navigation company as they look to launch their new app, grow their indoor mapping locations, and work to incorporate future technology into their newest products. After we talk to GoodMaps, we'll get our monthly update on the Connect the Dots events up. First, I have GoodMaps CEO, Theresa Reno-Weber. Hello Theresa and welcome to Change Makers.

Theresa Reno-Weber: 0:48

Thanks for having me. Hi.

Sara Brown: 0:50

So my first question I always like to ask is, do you mind to just introduce yourself and share what it is that you do at GoodMaps?

Theresa Reno-Weber: 0:58

Absolutely. I'm Theresa Reno-Weber. I am the CEO of GoodMaps. We are a indoor mapping and accessible navigation company

Sara Brown: 1:08

In that indoor navigation is such a big deal. For those who are unaware of GoodMaps, can you share what, what GoodMaps is and what the important work that it , that they do?

Theresa Reno-Weber: 1:18

Yeah, absolutely. Well, I always tell folks that it is like your Google Maps for the indoors, right? So think of Google Maps ways, whatever the mapping, you know, company of choice you use for outdoor navigation. Well, so many of us could benefit from that same support indoors, but there really hasn't been an indoor equivalent to those outdoor navigation apps that we've all come to rely on , um, until now. And thanks to a partnership with the American Printing House for the Blind, who actually launched Good Maps into the world , um, back in 2018 , um, we now are an independent for-profit company that is on a mission to make the world's indoor spaces more inclusive, interactive, and joyful for everyone. So our navigation app is completely accessible for blind and low vision users. For folks who might have any sort of limited mobility, if you're neurodiverse or deaf, or I often just add in there, if you are just directionally challenged, like the majority of the world's population, you can benefit from a venue having good maps in place.

Sara Brown: 2:25

Now, what does make GoodMaps different from the other apps that you mentioned ? Is it just that it's a hundred percent accessible to those individuals who need it?

Theresa Reno-Weber: 2:34

Yeah, there's a couple of really unique features for us as a company. Uh, first and foremost, that accessibility, first mantra and focus of ours, starting with that in mind. So everything we develop has to have that end user , um, be able to, if they are fully blind, use our software, use our technology as easy and seamless way as possible, so that gets embedded in the code that we develop from the outset. The other features that are really unique to GoodMaps that customers, so the individuals who are buying the ability for good maps to be present within their space , um, is that it is completely infrastructure free . So many other mapping and indoor navigation platforms out there require companies to install beacons or sensors and have hardware within their venue and in their ecosystem that they then have to maintain. And that hardware is often cumbersome to install, it's costly to install, and it's not as accurate. We found as the technology that GoodMaps uses, which is a computer vision model that we have actually patented to be able to use the camera on an individual's phone to pull an imagery around them and triangulate their position based on the imagery in the space.

Sara Brown: 3:55

Wow. Now, I believe I've seen an individual when I first started here in 2020, doing some work with goodMaps and it looked like they had a backpack. Yeah . Like Ghostbusters. Now is that not, that's not even needed anymore. Is that where you all have evolved?

Theresa Reno-Weber: 4:09

So we still have to do a scan of the indoor space. So for anyone who's familiar with Google Cars, driving around with those big, you know, ecosystems or you know, exoskeletons on the car, that is what our surveyors used to have. To your point, it was like a backpack that they had to wear while they were walking around the indoor environment. Now it's actually the size of a health handheld thermos, right? It's not really , um, cumbersome. It's not very heavy. It's not very intrusive. And so about the time it takes for an individual to walk the full , um, indoor venue space, that's how long it takes us to capture the data, the lidar information that we need and the visual information we need to be able to create a digital blueprint of the space and then create that turn by turn navigation that everybody really comes to love with good maps.

Sara Brown: 5:02

Well , as I was thinking, I know Good Maps is a, a child of APH. Yep . How long ago did it come to fruition and how was the need discovered for something like GoodMaps?

Theresa Reno-Weber: 5:13

Yeah, it's so interesting. So, you know, APH... I Always tell folks who are not familiar with APH is that it is one of the most innovative organizations in our country. Um, you know, it's over, I think 170 years old, you would know better . Um, but it's been, it's been putting out innovative technology for as long as it's been around. And so GoodMaps is just one in a long line of innovative tech that has spun out of the American Printing House for the Blind. Um, I mentioned again in 2018, they, you know, formally incorporated what was previously called Access Explorer. Um, and then, you know, submitted that as an independent company, registered it hired a CEO who started to build out the team that was GoodMaps. And that company actually launched using that beacon technology. So putting sensors and beacons into spaces and triangulating positions of individuals based on that. Um , but because of the accuracy issues, because of some of the cumbersome nature of installing that and customers not wanting to necessarily have to maintain those within their space , um, GoodMaps decided to continue to innovate and identify new and different ways and solutions for getting that really leading industry accuracy that we have today. So most of our competitors will offer, you know, three meters of accuracy. Um, we're to a meter or less at this point. So , um, you know, I think American Printing House decided that we need to be able to help blind and low vision individuals have the ability to navigate the indoors with confidence and with independence. And that independence I think is critical. Um, so many individuals who, who find themselves either losing their sight or being born without sight, you know, are often relying on individuals within that space to help them find their destination, or they're relying on family and friends to help them navigate. And with good maps, they really can go into a space having never been there before, and get auditory, turn by turn directions, get a director of everything that's in that indoor environment , um, and find it on their own , um, with the use of their cane or the use of a guide dog or , um, you know, the low vision that they may have.

Sara Brown: 7:27

Now , can you talk about some of the places that you've mapped? I know you've done the airport here, so what other places have you mapped, whether it's here in Louisville or <Yeah>, or throughout the country?

Theresa Reno-Weber: 7:36

Well, I think it's important to say we are in 10 countries around the world right now. So we have really grown significantly over the last several years. Um, but we did get our start right here in Louisville, Kentucky, just down the street from American Printing House. And , um, because of a grant with the city and with APH, we were able to map, I think it's up to 15 venues here in Louisville. Right. So, some of my favorites that I always tell people, the airport is definitely one, the Frasier History Museum, the Kentucky Science Center , uh, the Muhammad Ali Center , um, the Speed Art Museum, Metro Hall , um, and the McDowell Center, the Student Activity Center at U of L. Um, so we've got a great list of local venues that folks can benefit from using the app. Again, regardless of their ability type, I gave it to my parents when they were in town just a couple weeks ago. Uh , they're both cited , but , um, directionally challenged <laugh> and they used it to, to navigate around the Frazier History Museum where they had a limited amount of time and they looked at the directory, found all of the different exhibits they wanted to see, and was able to get to those really quickly without having to waste a lot of time when they knew they didn't have much to spare.

Sara Brown: 8:50

Now, can you talk about some of the countries that you're in? I think I remember seeing maybe a year or two ago, were you all in Mexico? You did a Wal... Was it a Walmart there?

Theresa Reno-Weber: 8:59

We did, we did a Walmart Superstore in Mexico City. Uh, we've mapped the airport in , uh, Vera , Vera Bolivia, <laugh>. Um, we have a really large footprint. Probably our largest outside of the US is actually in the United Kingdom. Um, so in the UK we are in Network Rail, which is the largest private rail operator in the uk. Um, and now we're also expanding to Avanti, which is the second largest I believe there. And so if you are traveling through London or Manchester or Liverpool , um, you can use good maps at any one of those major train stations, which are, you know, basically like giant malls when you get to those, those stations. Um, we're also expanding into Scotland, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands , um, gosh , uh, we've got so, so many exciting Canada. We've got some, a lot of sites in Toronto and now , um, expanding to Via Rail in Canada. Um, and I think we're gonna be out in Australia , uh, you know, by the end of the year.

Sara Brown: 10:04

That's amazing to see, to hear that. Yeah,

Theresa Reno-Weber: 10:07

That's fantastic.

Sara Brown: 10:07

That's amazing. Well, congratulations on that. And my next question is what do you see as the future for indoor mapping technology and for good maps in like the next five or 10 years just to continue expanding into other countries, but what do you see as the future for, for this?

Theresa Reno-Weber: 10:24

I mean, our goal would be to have every area <laugh> of the indoor world mapped and accessible, right? We just really want anyone to be able to enter into a space and feel the confidence and the independence to navigate it , um, regardless of their ability. And I, I think that that's really a core to our mission. And I know something that the American Printing House for the Blind would love to see happen in the world as well. Um , it's a big world out there though. There's a couple of other companies that are, are coming up and starting to do some of this. Again, I think good map's, unique value proposition of starting with the end user in mind and accessibility in mind is really key. The ability for it to be infrastructure free , um, you know, for it to be able to be incredibly accurate, those are things that really distinguish us in the market right now. So continuing to take that technology , um, even further and incorporate it with some of the advances in AI and augmented reality. Some of the , um, hardware that's coming out now. Um, you know, our chief technology officer was just engaging with a gentleman who , um, you know, has been working on , um, glasses for blind and low vision folks to augment their vision or their , um, experience and incorporating, you know, good maps technology into that where you have that ability to use a smart glass , um, to be able to support your, your daily life could be really exciting for so many of us. So , um, I think like often in this space there's just a lot, lot of innovations that are happening very rapidly and GoodMaps wants to continue to be on the cutting edge of that and really define what it means to offer a great experience for indoor navigation

Sara Brown: 12:05

And being on the cutting edges, which is what you all are, has landed you all some major rewards. I know I've seen you all listed many times in re being the award recipients of various things. Can you talk about some of the awards you all have won lately?

Theresa Reno-Weber: 12:18

Yeah, well, a couple, you know, we've now two years in a row been recognized at the Consumer Electronics Show, CES one of the largest innovative tech gatherings in the world in Las Vegas. Um, and so those recognitions for us as a a growth growing innovative company are always so fantastic to, to be on the front , um, of, of those rewards. Um, we also, last year I was able to present at , um, the Rally Conference, which was the first multi-sector innovation conference of its kind in Indianapolis. Um, brought folks from all over the world. Um, we competed, I think, against , um, multiple companies and came out on top as a , a , a winner there with a prize of a million dollars , um, for , uh, being a , an innovative company. So we are really excited about those types of acknowledgements and , um, validations of what we're building and, and how we're growing

Sara Brown: 13:17

Now. Is there anything else you would like to share about GoodMaps? Whether it be what you all have going on now or what you're looking forward to the future? What do you want our listeners to know?

Theresa Reno-Weber: 13:26

Um, I, I think one thing that's really important for folks to know is just that, you know, it is not cost prohibitive to put some, a solution like good maps into venues that you frequent every day. Um, and making sure that those spaces, those venues know that you want to see this technology there. I think it's still a very new space, right? Many people don't even think about using a navigation app or having that navigation app available inside, right? They, they get to the front door of the venue and they turn off their Google Maps or their Waze app, and then they just go in and they're like, "how do I navigate this large conference center?" Or, you know, this airport or whatever it is. And so one, I want folks to know that it's possible, right? It is possible. And it exists today in the world to have a really great navigation experience indoors with high accuracy , um, and with really fun , um, you know, augmented reality features for those of us who are sighted , floating arrows in the space, floating icons, things that really enhance the venue and the experience for you , um, which are really cool. Uh , but I think for folks to actually say to the spaces that they frequent, Hey, I would love to see this here. Um, this would really benefit me. Um, and especially in the accessibility world, you know, there's not always large budgets for accessibility. Um, but if spaces recognize that this could really increase the patronage of blind and low vision users of mobility impaired users of , you know, an aging generation that doesn't feel as confident navigating complex spaces as maybe they once did , um, I think then more spaces would, would be open to putting GoodMaps into their venue.

Sara Brown: 15:05

Is there anything else you wanna share before I let you go?

Theresa Reno-Weber: 15:08

It would be remiss for me not to just say how grateful I am as the CEO at GoodMaps today, but also our entire company , um, and the customers that we serve are for American Printing House , um, birthing good maps in the world and , and launching it out there , um, and making it something that is available and beneficial to everyone, right? We started with blind and low vision users, but we know that the world's population can benefit and is benefiting from good maps.

Sara Brown: 15:40

Wonderful. Well, Theresa , thank you so much for coming on Change Makers and talking to me today.

Theresa Reno-Weber: 15:45

You are welcome. Thank you for having me. And thank you for sharing our story.

Sara Brown: 15:50

I've put a link in the show notes to the GoodMaps website for anyone wanting additional information. Now we're shifting gears to learn about the next Connect the Dots powered by PNC Foundation event. I have APH's Community Relations and Policy Advisor, Erin Sigmund here to tell us more. Hello Erin and welcome to Change Makers .

Erin Sigmund: 16:12

Hi Sara. Thanks as always for having me.

Sara Brown: 16:14

So, do you want to , you know, introduce yourself? You've been on here a couple of times talking about Connected Dots, but let our listeners know a little bit about you.

Erin Sigmund: 16:22

So my name's Erin and I serve as the community relations and Policy advisor at a PH. Long title basically means I'm connecting APH to the community of Louisville and the folks in Washington, D.C. So the connector of connectors

Sara Brown: 16:40

And keeping up with that connect theme. Tell us about the upcoming Connect the Dots event.

Erin Sigmund: 16:47

All right , Sara, we have been doing Connect the Dots for this will be our eighth event in seven months. And I know I'm not supposed to have favorites, but I think this one is my favorite. I'm really excited about it. So we will be inviting families to the South Central Regional Library on Saturday, July 13th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM to explore all things touch and texture. So for many museum visitors of all ages, whether blind or sighted , being able to interact with objects through touch is always a memorable and unique experience and make it touchable is the approach that the dot experience at a PH is taking to make the most accessible museum and the world. So we are taking that which will be opening in the museum in 2026 and bringing it to the library this July through Hands on Play, children and adults will learn about the science of touch and texture, all the different receptors in our skin that help us interact with the world through touch. They'll discover ways that a PH has historically and is currently using tactile graphics to provide access to education. They'll get to try out white canes with different tips on different textured flooring that weave a community art piece, and they'll explore ways that touch and texture will provide visitors access to the collections and exhibits within the dot experience. We will have replicas and braille and all sorts of incredible innovations on hand ready for folks to literally touch and feel. It's gonna be a great time.

Sara Brown: 18:34

It always is a great time and I love hearing about these events and I love having you come on and talk about them because, you know, it's so, it's, it's a really great way to keep APH and the future Dot Experience Museum just sort of, you know, in the minds of our community and what's gonna be an exciting time Saturday. And I know we're both excited for the museum to open in 2026.

Erin Sigmund: 18:56

Yes. And there will be something for every age group. So it truly is a family event. We will have , um, activities there for itty bitty toddlers and preschoolers all the way up to if you're an adult, you can really nerd out at this event . We're excited.

Sara Brown: 19:12

And is there anything else you wanna share with us before I let you go?

Erin Sigmund: 19:17

As always, if you are coming to Connect the Dots and you'll love connect the dots and you wanna get involved on the backend and volunteering to produce and run these great events, you can always email me at esigmund@aph.org, or you can email us at volunteer@aph.org and we will get you connected on those Saturdays.

Sara Brown: 19:43

Wonderful. And I will put a link , I'll put your email address and the volunteer email address in the Show Notes. Wonderful. So Erin , thank you so much for coming on Change Makers and talking to me today.

Erin Sigmund: 19:56

Absolutely. Thanks Sara.

Sara Brown: 19:58

I've put links in the Show Notes about Connect the Dots as well as Erin's email address and the volunteer email address she just mentioned. Thank you very much for listening to this episode of Change Makers. I hope you have enjoyed it. Don't forget, if you have a podcast topic or follow up questions you want me to ask, let me know by sending an email to changemakers@ap.org. As always, be sure to look for ways you can be a changemaker this week.