GPS Ranger invites visitors to tour Austin, Texas, using cutting edge technology. The Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and BarZ Adventures (BarZ) have launched an audio and video walking tour of the city using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. This tour is also available in American Sign Language, increasing the city’s accessibility to the deaf and hard of hearing.
Available at the Austin Visitor Center, the lightweight device can guide several visitors at once when sharing a handheld 4-inch screen. Costing no more than six pounds, historical and cultural attractions, including the Texas Capitol and the city’s famed bats, can be explored as part of a comprehensive overview of the state’s capital.
The device triggers location-based content, telling the story of the site or attraction utilizing audio narration and video components. The Austin tour is the first GPS tour to be made available in American Sign Language and GPS hopes to replicate this model in other locations around the nation for those who use American Sign Language as their primary language.
“With Austin’s reputation as a hub for innovation and technology, we’re proud to offer the cutting-edge GPS Ranger tour,†says Bob Lander, President and CEO of Austin CVB. “The tour lends itself nicely to both leisure and business travellers, as visitors can explore the city at their own pace, on their own or with a group, stopping to learn more about the sites that pique their specific interests.â€
Report by Chitra Mogul
