News

London Underground to test interactive touchscreens

May 11, 2003

LONDON -- The London Underground (LU) will test interactive touchscreens enabling passengers to access up-to-date information on amenities at and around stations, according to a report in the Financial Times.

Two or three kiosks will be installed at Gloucester Road station in a month's time.

The plan, developed in conjunction with LU's online division, will feature thetube.com's interactive map service, tubeguru. Users will be able to highlight stations and receive information on subjects such as local shops, bars, restaurants and taxi services.

Thetube.com is in talks with Viacom about selling ad space above the 15-inch screens, which will hang on walls and be surrounded by a luminous panel.

LU is also in talks with Orange and other mobile companies about launching a downloadable version of the Tube map.