Carrefour Belgium has introduced a new innovative, system designed to help visually impaired customers shop more independently.
The solution, which is a first in Belgium and Europe, was unveiled recently at its Auderghem hypermarket. It combines two cutting-edge technologies – Virtuoz and NaviLens. Virtuoz is a tactile sound map placed at the entrance to the store, allowing visually impaired customers to easily discover the layout of the store. NaviLens uses intelligent QR codes detectable up to 20 metres away and in less than 3 milliseconds through a dedicated application.
This technology is able to guide the blind and visually impaired, gently and safely, through the store to the products of their choice, but also to direct them towards aisles, checkouts and other services. QR codes also provide accessible information on more than 1,700 products and prices in the store.
Speaking on the launch, Geoffroy Gersdorff, CEO of Carrefour Belgium said: “It is estimated that in Belgium, 1 in 1,000 people are blind and 1 in 100 are visually impaired. Shopping independently is often a big challenge for these people. With this pilot project, Carrefour is implementing concrete solutions in Auderghem to make the store accessible. This project is part of our wider diversity and inclusion strategy. A strategy based on three pillars: age, gender and disability.”
Karine Lalieux, Federal Minister of Pensions and Social Integration, responsible for Disabled People and the Fight against Poverty added: “With this project, Carrefour Belgium is stepping up its efforts to promote an inclusive society where everyone counts. By emphasizing the inclusion and visibility of people with disabilities, Carrefour seeks to raise awareness and create opportunities that allow everyone to contribute fully to society.”
