Oko AI: Accessible Street Crossings for All
Harnessing the power of AI, the Oko app is revolutionizing street crossings for the blind and visually impaired. this award-winning accessibility app, recently honored with the Apple Design Award, offers intuitive navigation through real-time alerts for pedestrian signals. Oko’s simple yet sophisticated design, developed by a team with no prior iOS experience, prioritizes user needs, delivering a seamless experience. Discover how this AI-powered tool is changing the game and promoting inclusive design. News Directory 3 reports on this breakthrough. See what’s next for Oko, as it continues to enhance urban navigation.
Oko App: AI-Powered Navigation for the Blind Wins Apple Design Award
Updated June 08,2025
The Oko app,a navigation tool designed for the blind and visually impaired,has garnered acclaim for its innovative use of artificial intelligence. The app recently won the 2024 Apple Design Award for Inclusivity and the 2024 App Store Award for Cultural Impact.
developed by AYES BV, a team of six based in Belgium, Oko utilizes AI to provide real-time feedback on pedestrian signals, alerting users to “Walk” or “Don’t Walk” signs through haptic, audio, and visual cues. This accessibility app enhances confidence for users navigating public walkways.
Vincent Janssen, one of the three founders, emphasized the app’s simple design. “The biggest feedback we get is, ‘It’s so simple, there’s nothing complex about it,’ and that’s great to hear,” Janssen said. He added that the team prioritized simplicity, which ultimately proved to be the right approach.
From Left: Willem van de Mierop, Michiel Janssen, and Vincent Janssen Are The three Cofounters of About. The app’s name means “eye.”
The Oko app, meaning “eye” in Dutch, originated as a passion project during the pandemic. Janssen and his co-founders, brother Michiel and friend Willem Van de Mierop, all with computer science backgrounds specializing in AI, sought to address the increasing isolation faced by a friend with low vision.
Janssen noted the team wondered if they could develop a system similar to autonomous vehicles to aid people in navigating public spaces. They began with a prototype using a microcomputer, 3D-printed components, and a borrowed speaker. This “hacky hardware,” as Janssen described it, allowed them to test the feasibility of AI recognizing pedestrian signals in various conditions.
I had maybe opened Xcode three times a few years before, but otherwise none of us had any iOS or Swift experience.
Vincent Janssen, About founder
The team soon realized that software offered a more practical solution, despite their lack of iOS development experience. They immersed themselves in learning Swift, utilizing online tutorials and resources. The core concept involved using the camera, Maps SDK, and a robust AI algorithm to assist users in navigating their surroundings.
Extensive field testing with accessibility organizations led to key improvements, including switching to portrait mode and refining audio feedback. The team quickly learned about VoiceOver and haptic feedback, enhancing the app’s usability.
Launched in December 2021, Oko quickly gained recognition within the accessibility community. The team continues to refine the app, balancing new features with its core simplicity.
we found ourselves learning about VoiceOver and haptic feedback.
Vincent Janssen, About founder
The Oko team now includes developers specializing in swift, allowing the original founders to focus on business development and expansion. Janssen emphasized that Oko remains a work in progress, with ongoing learning and improvements.
what’s next
The Oko app team plans to continue refining the accessibility app, focusing on user feedback and exploring new ways to enhance navigation for the blind and visually impaired. They aim to maintain the app’s simplicity while incorporating advanced features to improve the user experience.