BaAn-frei

As part of the BaAN-frei research project, funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV), an app was developed that uses artificial intelligence to detect and visualize barriers in public spaces. The focus is on people who rely on wheelchairs.

Many paths, streets, or crossings are difficult or even impossible for wheelchair users. Reliable information about the actual condition of surfaces, curb cuts, or other obstacles in the urban and landscape landscape is often lacking. This is precisely where BaAN-frei comes in.

Using their smartphone camera and GPS, users capture videos and location data while on the move. These recordings document the condition of the surroundings—such as paths, curbs, or uneven surfaces.

The collected data is transmitted to a research server, where it is automatically analyzed using artificial intelligence. The AI ​​detects relevant barriers, classifies them, and locates them on a digital map. The long-term goal is to integrate this information into digital maps and make it publicly available.