Audio technology company Ampetronic successfully installs the Auri assistive listening system at Bristol train station, enhancing accessibility for passengers with hearing impairments.
Ampetronic's Auri Assistive Listening System Enhances Accessibility at Bristol Temple Meads Station
A new assistive listening system, Auri, has been installed at Bristol Temple Meads Station in England, marking the first public integration of a complete system using Auracast broadcast audio technology. Developed by Ampetronic, in partnership with Listen Technologies, Auri offers significant benefits for passengers with hearing loss and those who find noisy environments challenging.
The system delivers clearer audio directly to Auracast-compatible hearing aids, cochlear implants, or earbuds, reducing background noise and reverberation issues commonly faced in busy transit hubs. This direct-to-ear approach enhances speech intelligibility, helping users to hear announcements more clearly and reliably.
The live system testing at Bristol Temple Meads Station validated consistent coverage and performance across designated areas. Ampetronic has installed 10 Auri transmitters to cover high-traffic zones such as platforms 9-12, pedestrian subway area, and ticket hall.
Auri is expected to benefit a wide range of passengers, including those whose first language is not English, infrequent rail users, neurodivergent individuals, and those who find noisy environments challenging. The system could also improve operational efficiencies by reducing the need for staff to repeat announcements.
RNID (Royal National Institute for Deaf People) is conducting user trials at Bristol Temple Meads Station to assess the efficacy of the Auri system. User trials aim to determine the type of information the system should broadcast and what improvements could be made to access the technology. Ampetronic will also evaluate the interoperability of Auri with existing systems during the user trials.
Ampetronic will host demonstrations of Auri for interested passengers and organisations at Bristol Temple Meads Station. To schedule a demonstration, contact [email protected]. The demonstrations aim to showcase the system's capabilities and promote wider implementation, helping to make transit systems more accessible for individuals with hearing impairments.
The Station Innovation Zone programme, developed in partnership with Network Rail with support from the Government's Innovate UK department, aims to reduce barriers to innovation in the public transportation industry. Connected Places Catapult selected Ampetronic to test Auri in Bristol Temple Meads Station as part of the programme.
Jonathon Hoskin, business development manager at Ampetronic, has expressed encouraging feedback about the Auri system from passengers at Bristol Temple Meads Station. He believes that Auri has the potential to improve the passenger experience and make travel more inclusive for all.
Auri is the world's first system using Auracast broadcast audio technology, a new standard for Bluetooth Low Energy Audio designed for assistive listening. As more passengers adopt Auracast-compatible devices, the benefits of the Auri system will be maximised. Training and awareness campaigns could further encourage users to engage with the assistive technology for a smoother travel experience.
References: 1. Ampetronic 2. Connected Places Catapult 3. Innovate UK 4. Network Rail 5. RNID 6. Listen Technologies
- The business development manager at Ampetronic, Jonathon Hoskin, sees potential in Auri, the world's first system using Auracast broadcast audio technology, to improve the passenger experience and make travel more inclusive in the health-and-wellness sector, especially for individuals with hearing impairments.
- As technology advances and more passengers adopt Auracast-compatible devices, the benefits of the Auri system, which delivers clearer audio directly to the user's ear, will be maximized, positively impacting the education-and-self-development industry by enabling users to better understand announcements and information.
- In light of the successful implementation and testing of Auri at Bristol Temple Meads Station, there is potential for the system to be integrated in various industries such as finance, transportation, and science, improving operational efficiencies and creating a more accessible environment for all.
- The Auri system, developed in partnership by Ampetronic and Listen Technologies, has the potential to revolutionize the industry by offering significant benefits to passengers with hearing loss and those sensitive to noisy environments, enhancing the quality of life in the health-and-wellness sector.
