Anticipated Mode of Operation and Recommended Best Practice

Table of Contents

GoodMaps is a digital navigation platform designed to deliver highly accurate, accessible indoor and outdoor wayfinding. It supports all venue users and, as a combined solution, and has been validated to work with the needs of blind people and people with low vision, wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility, people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, and people who are neurodiverse.

GoodMaps uses Visual Positioning System (VPS) technology and AI to interpret the surrounding environment through a smartphone camera and determine a user’s precise position within a space. From there, users can receive turn-by-turn directions, real-time audio cues, visual instructions, and vibration alerts to navigate confidently to destinations throughout the venue. GoodMaps is multilingual and inclusive, with customizable settings for language, cueing methods, and accessibility preferences.

Platform Approach #

Web as the First Port of Call #

GoodMaps Web should typically be positioned as the first port of call for the platform. It gives venue owners a simple, user-friendly way to provide access to a venue map through a web browser, making it the most natural starting point for many users.

GoodMaps Web is especially valuable for:

  • Pre-planning and familiarisation before travel.
  • Quick access to route information.
  • On-site discoverability and mapping.
  • Navigation without requiring a full app download.

Visitors can use GoodMaps Web to preview a venue, search destinations, understand route options, and build confidence before or during a visit. Access can be provided through digital kiosks or QR codes that link users directly to a web map.

Web, App Clip, and App Together #

GoodMaps Web can also connect users directly into an App‑like navigation experience through App Clip, as well as into the full GoodMaps App through other related handoff flows.

In practice, this gives users several ways to continue their journey depending on the level of guidance and support they want:

  • Remain in Web.
  • Launch App Clip.
  • Send a journey to their phone.
  • Move into the full GoodMaps App experience.

As a result, GoodMaps Web becomes a particularly strong and flexible surface in its own right. For many users, it can support the full journey, including pre-planning, on-site exploration, mapping, and navigation, without requiring a traditional app download.

Purpose of This Guidance #

This document outlines the anticipated mode of operation and recommended best practice by user type. Its purpose is to help customers and partners understand which part of the platform may be most appropriate depending on context, preference, and accessibility need, so that Web and App are recommended with the right user in mind.

User Types and Benefits #

Blind Users #

For blind users, the GoodMaps App is generally the recommended experience because it offers the strongest, most accessible real-time guided navigation support.

Key benefits include:

  • Full access to app functionality using the smartphone’s built-in screen reader, such as TalkBack on Android or VoiceOver on iOS.
  • Spoken turn-by-turn routing instructions to guide users to their chosen destination with highly accurate positioning.
  • Granular corrective instructions, such as slight left or slight right, to help users stay aligned to the route.
  • Haptic vibration alerts when a user veers off the route path.

GoodMaps Web is not generally recommended as the primary navigation tool for blind users, even with Web Clips, because these lightweight experiences are not as fully developed for non‑visual navigation as the full GoodMaps App. However, text within GoodMaps Web and App Clip remains accessible through the phone’s built-in screen reader, which may still support orientation and destination familiarisation before travel.

Low-Vision Users #

For low-vision users, either GoodMaps Web or the GoodMaps App may be the most appropriate starting point depending on the user’s preferences and the type of support they prefer.

GoodMaps Web may be especially useful for:

  • Previewing the venue in advance.
  • Familiarising users with routes and destinations before they begin their journey.
  • Providing a quick, visual, browser-based navigation surface without requiring a full app download.
  • Supporting on-site exploration, mapping, and route checking through Web, App and App Clip handoff options.

The GoodMaps App may be preferred where users want richer live navigation support. In addition to accessible visual and non-visual guidance, low-vision users may benefit from:

  • The ability to switch between light and dark mode.
  • The ability to enlarge text for navigation, venue directory, search, and text-based routing instructions using device accessibility settings.
  • Augmented reality routing arrows overlaid on the camera view of the real environment to reinforce direction of travel.
  • A visual map within the app to help users familiarise themselves with the route and wider venue layout.

Wheelchair Users and Users With Reduced Mobility #

For wheelchair users and users with reduced mobility, GoodMaps Web should typically be presented prominently as the primary tool and first port of call for pre-planning, route familiarisation, and progressive movement through the space, with the GoodMaps App supporting navigation on the move where appropriate.

GoodMaps Web is especially useful for:

  • Previewing venue maps in advance.
  • Searching destinations before travel.
  • Identifying lifts/elevators, accessible routes, and other on-site assistance options.
  • Planning route segments progressively before moving through the environment.
  • Supporting navigation on-site without requiring a full app download where that best suits the user.
  • Allowing users to remain in Web, use App Clip, or move into the full app depending on how much live support they want.

The GoodMaps App can then provide additional support during the journey, including:

  • Accessible route selection that avoids stairs and escalators.
  • Augmented reality routing arrows to reinforce directionality in the live environment.
  • More dynamic navigation support where a user is able to comfortably carry, mount, or otherwise position their phone for use in motion.

For some wheelchair users, particularly where holding or positioning a phone continuously may be less practical, the Web experience may remain the more suitable primary mode, with App Clip or app-based support used only where it adds value. Where a user is in a powered mobility device, holding a phone may be feasible, but using a phone mount can often be a more practical way to use the App if they choose to.

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Users #

For Deaf and hard-of-hearing users, GoodMaps Web should also be given prominence as the primary and first point of call for pre-planning, route familiarisation, and progressive wayfinding, while the GoodMaps App adds live navigation support where useful.

GoodMaps Web can support these users by enabling them to:

  • Plan route segments in advance.
  • Identify lifts/elevators and accessible pathways.
  • Move through the environment and seek confirmation progressively by checking text-based turn-by-turn instructions.
  • Use a visual, browser-based navigation experience without requiring a full app download.
  • Move into App Clip or the full app when live prompts or additional support become useful.

In the GoodMaps App, Deaf and hard-of-hearing users may also benefit from:

  • Augmented reality and other visual affordances that reinforce the route visually.
  • Haptic notifications that indicate when to turn.
  • Haptic alerts when the user has moved off the route path.

This combination can make Web especially strong for planning, confirmation, and lightweight navigation, with App support proving valuable when live prompts and haptic cues are preferred.

Neurodiverse Users #

For neurodiverse users, both GoodMaps Web and the GoodMaps App can offer meaningful benefits, with Web often being the most appropriate first port of call.

Key benefits of GoodMaps Web include:

  • The ability to preview venue maps and plan routes in advance, helping to reduce stress or anxiety associated with unfamiliar or complex spaces.
  • The option to familiarise themselves with the environment before arrival.
  • A simpler starting point for understanding the venue layout and likely journey.
  • Reduced reliance on asking others for assistance in locating destinations.
  • The flexibility to remain in Web or move into App Clip or the full app depending on how much support feels useful.

Where a user prefers more reassurance during movement, the GoodMaps App can then provide additional live support through guided navigation, visual prompts, audio cues, or haptics depending on the user’s settings and preferences.

Closing Statement #

At all times, users should be encouraged to make their own informed choice about whether GoodMaps Web or the GoodMaps App is best for them. The platform is designed with these different choices in mind, and best practice is to present Web as the natural first point of entry while still making it easy for users to move into App Clip or the full app when fuller live accessibility support is needed.

In practice, Web is often the stronger option for first access, pre-planning, familiarisation, progressive route checking, on-site discoverability, and, for some users, the full journey itself. App is often the stronger option where users want richer real-time guided navigation and more advanced live accessibility support. The most appropriate mode of operation will vary by user type, context, device preference, and how the individual wishes to navigate the space.

Updated on July 10, 2026