DETROIT (WWJ) – Navigating downtown Detroit just got a little bit easier. If you’re ever looking to find your way downtown or even just looking for a place to grab some food in midtown, help is nearby.
The city of Detroit and IKE Smart City on Monday rolled out the first of what will be about 30 digital, interactive wayfinding kiosks in the city.
The kiosks are designed to help visitors and residents alike navigate downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.
The first kiosk was unveiled in Cadillac Square on Monday and officials say they plan on deploying up to 30 of them throughout the city in the coming months.
The network of kiosks will “make our city and businesses more accessible to residents and businesses alike,” Mayor Mike Duggan said.
The kiosks are a way to help the city’s commercial districts rebound from the pandemic, Duggan said.
Each kiosk, which will also serve as a free Wi-Fi hotspot, will be geo-located and display informational listings based on what’s in immediate proximity, city officials said.
Features include a suite of interactive applications that drive discovery of area businesses, promote diverse mobility solutions, and improve equity with 24/7 access to resources.
Officials say the fully ADA-compliant kiosks were “designed for a diverse audience” and will offer information in 10 different languages.
Social services information, such as homeless shelters, addiction recovery programs, and food support will also be accessible on the kiosks.
“We are excited to see this program go live. These industry-leading kiosks provide a valuable resource for visitors, businesses, employees and residents. It supports DDP’s mission to make information on merchants, community resources, and events in Downtown Detroit and throughout the city accessible to all,” said Eric Larson, CEO of the Downtown Detroit Partnership.
More information on the city’s new network of kiosks can be found on the Downtown Detroit Partnership website.