Continental and BMTC Expand Accessibility Technology for Visually Impaired Passengers

Key Highlights:

• Continental and BMTC have fitted over 100 buses with OnBoard, targeting 500 by August 2025.
• OnBoard uses audio announcements to help visually impaired passengers find routes and doors.
• The technology was developed at IIT Delhi and piloted in 2023 before wider rollout by Raised Lines Foundation.
• Tests with visually impaired students proved the system works well, even in bad weather.
• This project shows strong teamwork between industry, academia, and government for better accessibility.

Continental, in partnership with the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), has taken a significant step to improve public transport for visually impaired passengers. The companies have now equipped over 100 city buses with the OnBoard accessibility solution. The plan is to install this technology in a total of 500 buses by August 2025.

What is OnBoard Technology?

OnBoard is a smart audio system designed to assist visually impaired individuals while using city buses. Developed initially at IIT Delhi with support from government bodies such as the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST). This system provides clear audio cues inside the bus. Speakers mounted on buses announce important details like route numbers and bus entry door locations. This helps visually impaired passengers identify the correct bus and safely board without confusion.

The project started with a pilot on 25 BMTC buses in 2023. Later, the technology was handed over to Raised Lines Foundation (RLF), a non-profit incubated at IIT Delhi, to scale up the deployment across the city.

Expansion Progress and Future Plans

According to BMTC Managing Director Ramachandran, the OnBoard system has been successfully installed on buses running on routes 401K and 401R. The next phase will see the installation of the system in 400 more buses starting mid-July 2025. The full rollout across 500 buses is expected to be completed by August 2025.

Prashanth Doreswamy, President and CEO of Continental India, highlighted during the announcement event that this project is part of Continental’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts aimed at promoting inclusive mobility. The event took place at BMTC Central Office and was attended by Karnataka Transport Minister Shri Ramalinga Reddy, among other dignitaries.

Positive Impact Through Testing

Field tests involving visually impaired students were conducted with the help of Enable India, an organization working for disability empowerment. These tests showed that OnBoard works effectively even in tough weather conditions, proving its reliability and value for daily commuters.

Importance of Collaboration

Professor M. Balakrishnan, Honorary Professor at IIT Delhi and Chairman of Raised Lines Foundation, spoke about the importance of partnerships between industry and academia. He emphasized how such collaborations can solve real-world problems, like improving accessibility in public transport. He expressed happiness that the technology is now helping people in practical ways.

Looking Ahead

The launch event ended with a live demonstration of the OnBoard system. Officials called for wider cooperation across India to bring more accessible transport solutions to cities nationwide. This initiative marks a strong move towards making public transportation safer and more independent for visually impaired passengers.

Also Read: Government to Announce Subsidy Guidelines for Electric Ambulances by Year-End

CMV360 Says

The OnBoard system makes travel easier for visually impaired passengers. It helps them find the right bus and entry point without confusion. The clear audio guidance adds safety and comfort during daily commutes. The joint effort from the company, government, and researchers brings a real solution to public transport challenges. It also ensures that public services are accessible to everyone equally..