Deaf passengers at Bristol Temple Meads station will now be able to connect to live audio broadcasts of station announcements using Auracast technology, after the hearing loop company Ampetronic finished installing its Auri transmitters at the location.
While standard pairing on Bluetooth only allows for one connection between an audio source and a receiver, Auracast allows for multiple connections to the same transmitter.
It means earpods, headphones, smartphones and hearing aids with Auracast comparability will all be able to connect to the same audio stream, with each individual able to personalise their listening experience.
Announcing the news on Wednesday, Ampetronic said it was the first public integration of its technology in a transport environment.
It is not yet known whether this is also the first implementation of Auracast at a UK rail station, with Network Rail being approached for comment.
Auri’s installation of 10 transmitters in the station comes just months after the Sydney Opera House became the first major arts venue in the world to use Auracast in its performance space.
In the UK, Auracast has been introduced at Manchester’s Contact Theatre and Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre, with the Bridge Theatre in London telling Liam O’Dell in April that it is exploring implementing Auracast in its venue following a recent trial.
Ampetronic was one of eight proposals shortlisted in November as part of the Station Innovation Zone programme, overseen by “innovation accelerator” Connected Places Catapult, with the potential for the solution to be put forward for testing at the Bristol station.
Other ideas selected to develop their concepts as part of the third cohort included WeWalk’s WeAssist navigation tool for blind and visually impaired passengers, and Dewhurst Limited’s creation of a lift emergency system which is accessible to those who are deaf, hard of hearing or non-verbal.
Ampetronic was then one of two innovations picked in March to proceed to the live trials, alongside a “virtual companion” for anxious passengers known as Journey Alerts.
At the time, Network Rail senior programme manager Brian Wortman said: “This programme provides Network Rail with a chance to push the boundaries around testing and adoption of innovative technologies to improve the station experience for passengers.”
The transmitters at Bristol Temple Meads cover high-traffic areas such as Platforms 9 to 12, the pedestrian subway area and the station’s ticket hall.
While Ampetronic says it has carried out live testing of Auri at the location, the company has also confirmed that it has commissioned deaf charity the Royal National Institute for Deaf people (RNID) to carry out user trials.
Alastair Moore, RNID’s technology lead, told Liam O’Dell the organisation is “proud” to support Ampetronic with the trial at Bristol Temple Meads.
He said: “Public transport is vital for enabling independence among the 18 million people in the UK who are deaf or have hearing loss. However, inaccessible audio announcements in places like train stations are a significant barrier.
“Auracast offers a solution by giving individuals with compatible devices such as hearing aids and earbuds, access to high-quality live broadcasts, including safety messages and travel updates.
“There are a wide range of potential applications for this technology and as more public spaces like train stations adopt Auracast, the closer we’ll get towards creating a more inclusive and accessible world for everyone.”
Moore added that the charity is encouraging anyone who has used Auracast at the train station to complete a survey advertised within the station, with in-person tests also being carried out with members of its research panel.
Meanwhile, Ampetronic’s business development manager, Jonathon Hoskin, said early reactions from passengers in Bristol have been “extremely encouraging”.
“We’re eager for more passengers to experience Auri and hope they find it helpful as they navigate the station. We want everyone to be able to access clear audio, so they have a pleasant and safe commute.”
Anyone interested in scheduling a demonstration of the Auri system with Ampetronic is being asked to email support@ampetronic.com, while those wishing to join RNID’s research panel can sign-up at the charity’s website.
The trial of Auri at Bristol Temple Meads began in June, and will run until September.
Images: Supplied (Ampetronic).