Olswang advises Microsoft on partnership with Cities Unlocked

This article was produced by Olswang LLP, which joined CMS on 1 May 2017.

International TMT law firm Olswang has advised long-standing client Microsoft on the company's participation in Cities Unlocked, a project in partnership with Future Cities Catapult and Guide Dogs aimed at revolutionising how people with sight loss experience the urban landscape, creating a revolutionary new application of 3D sound. Olswang advised Microsoft on the partnership agreements on a pro bono basis.

On 6 November Cities Unlocked revealed a ground-breaking proof-of-concept headset that, paired with a Windows Phone, helps visually impaired people navigate the city. Using location and navigation data from GPS and Microsoft Bing Maps, as well as a network of Bluetooth-enabled beacons placed in urban locations, the application gives people with sight loss more freedom to move in the city independently. It also provides enhanced contextual information such as shops, points of interest and additional journey details to help the user build up an understanding of their surroundings.

Started as a collaboration between Guide Dogs and Microsoft in 2013, the partnership evolved to include Future Cities Catapult, with the aim to research how technology can improve quality of life for partially sighted and blind people.

Clive Gringras, Partner at Olswang, commented: "As a firm we find technology generally really exciting, but it gets to another level when we are involved in a project that makes ground-breaking technology central to true empowerment. As soon as Microsoft mentioned the Cities Unlocked project we knew we wanted to do our bit. There is nothing more rewarding that knowing you gave your time and expertise for something so meaningful and impactful."