Turning Cameras Into Companions for Easier Public Transport Access | Good Tech

Why It Matters

Oculus transforms public transport into an accessible, independent option for visually impaired commuters, directly advancing Singapore’s inclusive‑city goals and showcasing scalable AI‑driven accessibility solutions.

Key Takeaways

• Oculus uses AI camera to announce approaching buses audibly.
• Designed for VoiceOver, prioritizes simple UI and proper labeling.
• Co‑founders tested with Singapore’s visually impaired associations for real‑world edge cases.
• Current version runs on iOS; Android support planned via hardware pendant.
• Goal: increase independence, reduce reliance on others for public transport.

Summary

Good Tech’s interview spotlights Oculus, a Singapore‑built app that turns a smartphone camera into an auditory companion for visually impaired commuters. By scanning the road at a bus stop, the app identifies the approaching bus, cross‑references real‑time arrival data from the Land Transport Authority, and delivers spoken bus numbers, allowing users to board confidently without guessing. The developers emphasize a VoiceOver‑first design, stripping the interface to three steps—scan, select, and listen—while ensuring every UI element is properly labeled for screen‑reader clarity. Extensive user testing with the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped and the White Cane Club uncovered edge cases such as flickering LED bus numbers and identical route numbers heading different directions, prompting iterative AI refinements. A personal catalyst—one co‑founder’s uncle losing vision to glaucoma—underscores the app’s human‑centered mission. The team also envisions a dedicated hardware pendant to run AI models independently, sidestepping Android’s fragmentation and freeing users from holding a phone. Their broader aim aligns with Singapore’s inclusive‑city agenda, seeking to empower visually impaired residents to rely on public transport rather than private alternatives. If adopted widely, Oculus could reshape mobility for a marginalized segment, demonstrating how targeted AI and inclusive design can turn everyday infrastructure into a universally accessible service, while inspiring other developers to tackle social challenges with pragmatic, user‑driven solutions.

Original Description

Imagine waiting at a bus stop without being able to see which bus is coming. That’s where Oculis comes in. This Singapore‑made app uses AI and your phone camera to “read” approaching buses out loud, helping visually impaired commuters travel independently and safely. 

On Good Tech, Lynlee Foo speaks to Lee Kiah Hong and Ryan Yeo, Co-founders of Oculis to find out how their tech is turning our phone cameras into trusty companions and changing the way it functions for the visually-impaired community.

For more, tune in to The Afternoon Update with Lynlee Foo every weekday from 1pm-4pm.

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