Travel Hands is a London-based charity that is revolutionizing the way Visually Impaired People (VIPs) navigate the city. Through its website and mobile app, Travel Hands connects VIPs with trained sighted guides, known as Travel Hands Volunteers, to provide safe and independent travel, promoting accessibility and social inclusion.
With a mission to make urban travel seamless for VIPs, Travel Hands is constantly innovating and leveraging cutting-edge technology. The organisation is now integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its app, with plans to launch an interactive itinerary planner that will provide a more intuitive and efficient user experience for VIPs. Through this feature, VIPs can simply speak into the app, describing their destination, time, and preferences, and the AI will interpret their request, identify the best route, and provide real-time updates through spoken feedback. This will create a smooth and user-friendly journey-planning experience for VIPs who rely on audio over visual interfaces.
The AI-powered feature offers many benefits, including smart matching, real-time journey tracking, optimised route planning, and enhanced coordination between VIPs and volunteers. This will ensure a smoother and more efficient experience for VIPs.
One VIP, Anna, living in London, opens the Travel Hands app and says, “I’d like to go to the British Library on Wednesday, 24th June at noon. Can you help plan my journey?” The AI responds by calculating the safest and most efficient route, considering step-free access, train schedules, and quiet travel times. It then identifies the top three guides near Anna, as well as another guide near her arrival point, to accompany her to the Library. Anna receives live audio updates throughout her journey, from guide confirmations to train arrival changes. This stress-free and secure experience is made possible by the AI’s coordination and support.
Travel Hands is currently operating exclusively in London, where individuals can sign up as either a volunteer or a VIP. Volunteers undergo training to ensure they can provide effective support, helping VIPs reach their destinations with confidence and ease. Since its launch, the organisation has facilitated countless journeys, strengthened the independence of visually impaired people, and promoted community engagement.
The impactful work of Travel Hands has garnered strong industry support. The European Space Agency (ESA) has been instrumental in supporting the development of its journey-tracking technology, enabling real-time monitoring and improved coordination between VIPs and volunteers. This collaboration ensures the highest levels of safety and efficiency in guided travel.
Travel Hands has also been selected by JPMorganChase’s Tech for Social Good team as a specialised project in the Force for Good program. This program runs from mid-March to November 2025 and provides Travel Hands with support from a team of talented and experienced software developers and data experts from JPMorganChase. This will help Travel Hands create tech solutions that advance its mission.
“At Travel Hands, we believe that accessibility should not be a privilege but a fundamental right. With AI integration and continued support from esteemed partners like ESA and JPMorganChase, we are taking significant steps towards a future where VIPs can navigate cities effortlessly,” said Ishan Jha, Founder and CEO of Travel Hands.
This work further reinforces the importance of inclusive mobility and the role of technology in empowering visually impaired people. As the organisation continues to grow and innovate, Travel Hands invites individuals and corporations to join its mission. Anyone can get involved by signing up as a volunteer, supporting the cause, or helping spread awareness.
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Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.