NaviLens is coming to the East Side and the Bronx!
In 2023, MTA was awarded $2M through the US DOT SMART Grant to expand on our work with the NaviLens wayfinding, information, and language translation app.
While this project is under way, check out NaviLens already installed on the West Side, and send us your feedback!
Through the SMART Grant, NaviLens is rolling out at all subway stations and is already installed at all Bx12 and Bx12-SBS bus stops.
But wait, there's more! Look forward to seeing NaviLens codes on train cars serving the line and buses serving the Bx12-SBS!
What's NaviLens all about?
The brightly-colored NaviLens codes are quite dynamic: they don't need to be in focus or even fully in a phone camera's frame to be detected.
NaviLens also translates into the language your phone is in—more than 40!—so that you can access MTA signage and information in the most accessible way for you.
NaviLens and NaviLensGO will work immediately once downloading.
NaviLens provides visual information in audio formats, primarily for users who are blind or have low vision.
This information ranges from wayfinding and navigation within subway stations, locating the exact locations of bus stops, real-time subway and bus arrival information, and more!
Once you download the app, hold your phone against your chest as you walk and the app will scan the environment and detect codes while you travel. If you want to hear the most recent set of instructions again, simply shake your phone and the app will re-read the last registered code.
The app works as soon as you open it, but you can also customize how the app reads out information to you. In settings (which you can access by pressing the three lines in the top left corner), you can personalize the instruction styles, which measurement system the app will use, and more.
NaviLensGO, with visual features and designed for all abilities, provides live systemwide service information, as well as elevator and escalator status in your station, and more.
Once you’ve downloaded the app, it will request that you accept the terms and then it will show you an introductory explanation of the interface. Simply scan a NaviLens code using NaviLensGO and see how quickly the information loads!
Above train arrivals, you can select service status to view service status for the whole system. If you're at an accessible station, select elevator and escalator status.
What happens when you scan a NaviLens code with each app?
NaviLens
When you scan a wayfinding code using NaviLens, the app will show and read out the information. Depending on where you are in the station, the code will also tell you upcoming train arrivals.
NaviLensGO
When you scan a wayfinding code using NaviLensGO, the app will show upcoming arrivals, systemwide service status, and elevator status.
We want to hear from you!
We'll be asking for your feedback on this project soon. While installation for this project is under way, check out NaviLens already installed on the west side, and send us your feedback!