NEW digital ‘way finding totems’ are set to signpost visitors and residents around 21st century Coventry city centre.
Bill as the first of their kind in Europe, the large touchscreen information points will go up at 16 spots over the coming months and will act as location finders for shops, museums, restaurants, businesses, the cathedral and much more.
Searches can be done by using a key broad or interactive “cloud” technology.
A digital map will then show the user the most direct walking route to their required destination.
Councillor Rachel Lancaster, Cabinet Member for Public services said: “We are all very excited about this project as this innovative wayfinding system has so many benefits for visitors, residents and businesses within the city.
“Over the next few weeks in the run up to Christmas and New Year the totems will be turned on, to show users how the system will work and to get a flavour of what they can expect before they go fully ‘live’ early next year.
“During this time, users will be able to email feedback on what they think about the system, which we’ll use to ensure we have everything people want in place, ready to go in January.
“..It shows clearly that along with all the changes taking place, we are creating a city that people will want to visit and that residents can be rightly proud of.”
She said the system will also details on what’s on and where.
Richard Westhead, Managing Director of Midlands-based One Digital Solutions, which developed and is installing the Elonex technology powered system said: “Months of hard work and consultation with Coventry City Council have gone in to developing this technology so that it will exactly meet the needs of Coventry now and in the future.
“This really is the next step for all city centres and we’re proud to be delivering Wayfinding to Coventry, a city ambitious enough to become the first place in Europe to adopt the technology, and look forward to completing the project over the coming weeks.”
The digital wayfinding system is part funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) grant funding.
The totems will be switched on from December 15 as a trial. User feedback can be sent to [email protected]
