The service, which was built on extensive development carried out by Microsoft Research and released under an open-source licence, will provide a replacement for the Microsoft service which will no longer be available beyond August 2023.

The Soundscape service itself comes in the form of a spatial audio mobile app for the iPhone. It augments the information typically provided by navigation apps, providing far greater contextual awareness by transforming ordinary sound into a three-dimensional experience.

Its features include the ability to preview routes in advance of a physical visit, save markers, and do more than just navigate to a single destination, allowing the user flexibility.

The Scottish Tech Army is committing to the ongoing maintenance and improvement of the app using its network of independent tech volunteers, combined with the contributions of its ‘Tech for Good Alliance’ member companies in the form of skilled volunteering by their staff.

The first release of Soundscape is a reproduction of the original app, providing the functionality that users have come to rely on.

To further enhance Soundscape with bettered functionality and improvements, the Scottish Tech Army will work with those in the visual impairment community, including the charities Guide Dogs and Seescape, as well as other visual impairment charities in the UK.

Financial support for the launch and initial operation of the Soundscape service was secured through a grant from the Thomas Pocklington Trust — a national charity whose mission is to enable and empower blind and partially sighted people of all ages to live the life they want to lead.

“We are very excited to be launching our Soundscape service, offering a way forward for the tens of thousands of existing users of the previous version of the app worldwide and making it available to many more users in the UK and around the world,” said Alistair Forbes, the CEO of the Scottish Tech Army.

“Our engagement with the visual impairment support community has shown how valuable users have found Soundscape and the concern that existed about the loss of the service.

“Building on the substantial initial investment made by Microsoft, we are drawing on the skills and commitment of member companies in the Tech for Good Alliance and our individual volunteers to both sustain and develop this highly valued service.”

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The charity Guide Dogs was involved in the original research work done by Microsoft, and has used Soundscape in its work with a large number of people who are blind or visually impaired.

“Since its public release in spring 2018, Guide Dogs has integrated Soundscape into our service delivery, directly observing how it can support and enhance the independent mobility of individuals with vision impairments,” commented Tommy Dean, the operations technology development lead at Guide Dogs.

“Collaborating with the Scottish Tech Army, we’re actively advancing this innovative app, elated not only by its sustained future but also by its ongoing evolution.

“This fusion of innovation and accessibility underscores Guide Dogs commitment to empower users to live the life they choose. Together with other sight loss charities, we’re dedicated to fostering adoption and shaping the app’s future.”