Free app for ITS World Congress visitors

Attendees at the 19th ITS World Congress in Vienna, Austria, will have the opportunity to use a purpose-built smartphone application for the event. The ‘Kongressnavigator’ has been designed to help visitors navigate through the city and the Congress Center, and it also integrates the conference program, transportation schedules and tickets. The smartphone app is available for the iPhone and Android operating platforms and is also available as a mobile internet application. The Kongressnavigator was designed by AustriaTech, a subsidiary of the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT). The project is being funded by the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund. The project partners are Fluidtime, ITS Vienna Region, CSS-Computer-Systems-Support, TechTalk and Salzburg Research.

The app will provide visitors with navigation from their hotel to Messe Wien and then directly to Hall 2. The app suggests the best routes for travelling by metro and bus, as well as by rental car, city bike or foot. It also provides real-time information and tickets for the city’s public transport network. In the conference hall and the Congress Center, the cell phone uses sensors and QR codes to direct users from stand to stand and can provide the fastest route between a pre-marked list of exhibitors. It can bookmark sessions and demonstrations and provide time-based reminders. The app provides an overview of the presenters and demonstrations, and it creates a personalized Congress program.

Visitors requiring more information about a speaker or exhibitor can leave a virtual business card using the Kongressnavigator. During the sessions, participants can give the speakers direct feedback on their speeches, ask questions and give comments with the app. It can be used throughout the Congress Centre via WiFi, which means no additional data roaming charges. To download the free Kongressnavigator app, go to: the App Store; Google Play; or web app.

27 September 2012