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"San Francisco International Airport is rolling out a pilot program later this year that could help blind travelers navigate within a terminal with the guidance of beacon technology. \nTiny sensors called beacons will be tested in one of the airport's newest terminals (Terminal 2, home to American Airlines and Virgin America) and potentially expand to other terminals in the future. The initiative is expected to launch this fall. \nSee also: 12 Mysterious Google Maps Sightings\nPublic areas are introducing beacons to buildings as a way to bring indoor mapping and real-time interactive navigation to the mainstream. Although GPS is reliable for routing you to target destinations, the same can't be said for the great indoors.\nThe airport is partnering with Austrian-based indoor positioning and tech company Indoo.rs and the Lighthouse for the Blind to bring the beacons to the terminal, as The Verge first reported. The beacons, which run on Bluetooth technology and cost about $20 a piece to install, sync with a smartphone app that pushes information to users as they walk by certain spots. The airport has installed 300 beacons so far; they are expected to last for four years before replacement devices are needed, Indoo.rs told Mashable.\nThe app uses voice technology to tell users to make a left or if something is coming up in 50 feet, the Indoo.rs spokesperson added. \"It will transform the way the blind will get around airports and make it significantly easier for them to do so.\" \n\nImage:  Indoo.rsThe corresponding app audibly highlights key points as users walk by, bringing attention to anything from gates and restaurants to power outlets, ATMs and bathrooms. It aims to help visually-impaired travelers get from the curb-side drop off area all the way to their gates. \nThe move is part of an effort by San Francisco to bring more technology to the city, across areas such as transportation, government and education. \nThis isn't the first time travelers will see beacons at the airport. Earlier this year, Virgin Atlantic announced a similar program to bring beacons to its terminal at Heathrow Airport in London. Virgin Atlantic employees also first organizations to incorporate beacons to enhance the interactive experience for fans at the Mets' Citi Field in New York City. \nBy loading the free app when you get off the subway and head toward the stadium, it knows where you are, populates a ballpark guide specific to the stadium, gives you coupons for food and beverages and pushes out historical information about the team as you pass by landmarks. \nIn theory, the San Francisco airport could also push discounts and retail information to travelers as they navigate toward their gate via beacons, too. Indoo.rs said the app could come to all travelers soon too. \nUPDATE: The original version of the story said Virgin Atlantic is a part of Terminal 2 at San Francisco International airport. It has since been corrected to Virgin America airlines. \nBONUS: 10 Places You're Not Allowed to See on Google Maps\n\n\n10 Places You're Not Allowed to See on Google Maps\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n1. The Royal Residence, The Netherlands\n\nThe Royal Palace of Amsterdam in the Netherlands -- called Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam -- joins a long list of places blurred on Google Maps related to the Dutch royal family, including the Royal Stables and another residence called Huis ten Bosch.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2. Buffalo Niagara International Airport\n\nThe Buffalo Niagara International Airport is largely whited out on Google Maps and details can't be seen when the area is zoomed in.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n3. Tantauco National Park, Chile\n\nThe Tantauco National Park in Chile can only be seen from a marker via Google Maps. The private natural reserve is home to many endangered animals.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n4. Keowee Dam, South Carolina\n\nMan-made reservoir Keowee Dam on Lake Keowee in South Carolina is also blurred on Google Maps. Shaped like a Christmas tree, the dam helps run a power utility called the Duke Energy company.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n5.  Mysterious Russian Site\n\nWe're not entirely sure why this location in Russia has been blurred out, especially since it's in the Siberian tundra. The closest city is Egvekinot, Russia, which is a neighbor to Alaska across the Bering Strait.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n5. Minami Torishima Airport, Japan\n\nThe Minami Torishima Airport -- a one-runway airport serving the island of Minami Torishima, located off the east coast of Japan -- is oversaturated with white. It is currently used by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n7. The Michael Aaf Building, Utah\n\nThe Dugway Proving Ground in Dugway, Utah is a region occupied by the U.S. Army where the military can test biological and chemical weapon systems. The Michael Aaf building on the proving ground is whited out, most likely for security reasons.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n8. Cornell University Combined Heat and Power Plant, New York\n\nThe Cornell University Combined Heat and Power Plant in Ithaca, NY -- which opened in 2010 -- is blurred on Google Maps.  The high-tech, eco-friendly facility generates electricity from natural gas as a part of the university's effort to lower its carbon dioxide emissions.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n9. Babylon, Iraq\n\nThe city of Babylon, Iraq looks more like endless farmland than a bustling city. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n10. Vlissingen, The Netherlands\n\nProperties owned by the Dutch royal family aren't the only places blurred in the Netherlands. Joining the list are the oil tanks in Vlissingen (pictured), as well as several army bases and air force bases. The land area to the left also appears to be pixelated and adjusted.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHave something to add to this story? Share it in the comments."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2014/07/31/san-francisco-airport-beacons/>