The accessible navigation for wheelchair users on the mapping app run by mainland web-mapping giant AMap is now also available in Macau after the new function’s launch here yesterday.
AMap is known as Gaode (高德 – “High Virtue”) in Chinese. In addition to the Chinese mainland, the map can also be used in various other countries and regions, including Macau.
AMap launched its English version early this year, targeting foreigners visiting the Chinese mainland.
Despite being a more simplified version compared to its Chinese version, AMap’s English version is also equipped with navigation function for users in general, but so far not including accessible navigation.
Before yesterday, AMap’s accessible navigation was only available in Chinese mainland cities. Macau has now, according to the company’s announcements yesterday, become the 70th Chinese city where accessible navigation is available.
While AMap’s accessible navigation in various Chinese mainland cities is available for those with different types of disabilities such as physical (wheelchair users), visual, and hearing impairment, the accessible navigation available in Macau is so far only for wheelchair users.
The web-mapping giant, in collaboration with the Macau Social Welfare Bureau (IAS), announced the launch of its accessible navigation in Macau during a press conference at the Macau Science Centre (MSC) in Nape yesterday evening.
Delivering a speech during yesterday’s press conference, IAS President Wilson Hon Wai said that with the coordination of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation, the Macau government has launched cooperation with AMap to extend its accessible navigation to Macau.
The press conference also included a ceremony marking the function’s launch in Macau.
Yesterday’s ceremony was also attended by Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Wallis O Lam.
Zhang Man, product manager of AMap, presented details of the map’s accessible navigation for wheelchair users available in Macau during yesterday’s ceremony.
According to Zhang, the map’s accessible navigation in Macau covers 20 sports facilities, including the Macau East Asian Games Dome, Light Rapid Transit (LRT) stations, public bus routes, five border checkpoints (the airport, the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, the Inner Harbour Ferry Terminal, the Qingmao checkpoint, and the Barrier Gate checkpoint), as well as various hotels and shopping malls.
AMap, established in 2002, became a subsidiary of mainland e-commerce giant Alibaba in 2014.
Local officials and AMap senior representative such as Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Wallis O Lam (centre), Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) President Wilson Hon Wai (third from right), Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes (third from left), and AMap Vice President Li Yanxia (fourth from right) symbolically launch the map’s accessible navigation in Macau during yesterday’s ceremony. – Photos: Tony Wong
Zhang Man, product manager of AMap, presents details of the map’s accessible navigation for wheelchair users in Macau during yesterday’s press conference at the Macau Science Centre (MSC) in Nape, with a sign language interpreter working.
