NaviLens

What NaviLens does

NaviLens is a private Spanish technology company headquartered in Murcia that develops a proprietary high-contrast multichromatic matrix code system designed for accessible wayfinding and information delivery in physical spaces. The codes are detected by standard mobile cameras at distances up to 30+ meters, at 160° angles, in motion, and without focusing, outperforming standard QR codes by roughly an order of magnitude on detection distance. The product surface consists of two consumer-facing apps — NaviLens (for blind and low-vision users, providing audio descriptions, haptic guidance, and spatial sonification) and NaviLens GO (for the general public, providing AR overlays and enriched content) — plus an intermediate Accessible QR Code (AQR) variant and a free web-based generator at free.navilens.com that supports up to two codes per user.

The underlying technology combines a computer-vision detection pipeline (developed in collaboration with the University of Alicante's computer vision group) with on-device processing for privacy, AR-based routing (Technology Magnet™), and automated localization into 42 languages. Codes are passive stickers that require no power, batteries, or construction, making deployment scalable across existing signage and packaging.

NaviLens monetizes primarily through enterprise licensing of its technology platform to transport operators (MTA, TMB, Adif, CapMetro, ProRail/NS, Vectalia), retailers (Walmart, Carrefour, Tesco, Auchan), consumer goods brands (Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Kellogg's, Pampers, Ariel, Pringles, Grupo Bimbo, Bayer), and public institutions. Contracts are multi-year and quote-based; consumer apps and the basic code generator are free and serve as demand-generation funnels. Distribution is executed through a global partner network of account managers, with direct enterprise sales supplemented by ISO/IEC 27001, ENS High-Level, GDPR, and LGPD-aligned compliance posture as a procurement enabler.

Name

NaviLens

Legal name

NaviLens Tech SL

Website

https://navilens.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NaviLens is a Murcia-based Spanish technology company that licenses proprietary high-contrast color codes and companion mobile apps for accessible wayfinding in transit, retail, consumer goods, and public-institution environments across 30+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Assistive Wayfinding Technology / Accessible Visual Codes

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Low Vision & Assistive Vision Devices (Magnifiers, Electronic Video Magnifiers, Wearable Vision Aids) (HLAHAJAN)

Keywords

• Accessible wayfinding technology
• Visual code markers
• Assistive navigation apps
• Transit accessibility solutions
• Augmented reality wayfinding

Headquarters

HQ city

Murcia

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Enterprise Licensing: Organizations (transport operators, retailers, public institutions, consumer goods brands) that want to deploy NaviLens codes and publish content contract a license. This is the primary B2B revenue stream.
2. Consumer Apps (Free): NaviLens and NaviLens GO apps are free for end users, serving as demand generators for the enterprise licensing model. A free Accessible QR Code generator plan supports up to 2 codes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

NaviLens develops and licenses a proprietary high-contrast multichromatic color matrix code system that mobile cameras can detect at distances up to 30+ meters, in motion, at angles up to 160°, and without requiring focus. The company sells this technology to organizations (transport operators, retailers, consumer goods brands, public institutions) via multi-year licenses to deploy NaviLens codes and publish associated content, and provides two free companion apps — NaviLens for blind and low-vision users (audio and haptic guidance) and NaviLens GO for the general public (AR overlays and enriched content) — plus a free Accessible QR (AQR) code generator.

Product overview

NaviLens is a visual code technology company offering a dual-app ecosystem centered on proprietary high-contrast color codes. The core portfolio consists of NaviLens (accessibility-focused app for blind/low-vision users with audio descriptions, haptic feedback, and spatial sonification) and NaviLens GO (general-public app with AR overlays and pictogram interface), both reading the same NaviLens® color codes and the intermediate Accessible QR (AQR) variant. The company provides a free accessible QR code generator (up to 2 codes) and licenses its technology platform to organizations including transit agencies, retailers, CPG brands, hotels, and public institutions across 30+ countries. The technology uses local on-device computer vision to detect codes at 30+ meters, 160° angle, without focusing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NaviLens GO: Content-enriched version of NaviLens for the general public and people with low vision or cognitive disabilities, providing text, audio, video and augmented reality content when scanning a code.

Products and services

• NaviLens App Mobile app for blind and low-vision users that detects NaviLens high-contrast color codes via camera and provides audio descriptions of surroundings, haptic guidance, spatial sonification, and 360° AR-guided routes. Designed primarily for navigating physical spaces in transit, public buildings and urban environments.
• NaviLens GO App

Quantifiable outcome

• 100 codes deployed at Madrid Atocha station covering complete blind passenger journey from street entrance to train platform
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• PBTconsult B.V.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 December 2024PBTconsult B.V. is the accessibility consultancy that collaborated with ProRail and NS on the Amsterdam Centraal deployment, designing the wayfinding system and overseeing NaviLens installation at tactile guidance line intersections.
• Universidad de AlicantecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2019NaviLens technology was developed in collaboration with the computer vision research group at Universidad de Alicante, which provided the foundational research for the high-contrast color matrix code detection algorithms.
• ONCE (Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019ONCE's Information and Accessibility Unit and Tiflo-Technology Research Center (CTI) tested NaviLens with blind users during the pre-deployment phase at Madrid Atocha, providing critical feedback that shaped the deployment (including integration with tactile flooring at guidance line intersections).
• Vodafone EspañacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Vodafone España partnered with TMB and NaviLens to launch TMBGO! in 2018, combining mobile connectivity with accessible wayfinding technology. Vodafone provided the innovation award and co-developed the program with TMB and NaviLens. The partnership launched the first major urban transport accessibility deployment in Barcelona.
• Fundació Vodafone EspañacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Fundació Vodafone España was an early partner in pilots starting in July 2015, providing funding and support for initial TMB pilots alongside Fundació ONCE, Fundació TMB, and Mobile World Capital Barcelona, establishing the foundation for the later commercial deployment.
• Fundació ONCEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Fundació ONCE participated in the earliest pilots (2015) testing NaviLens with blind users in Barcelona transit, providing accessibility expertise and user validation that shaped the technology's development for transit wayfinding.
• Fundació TMBminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Fundació TMB participated in early pilots (2015) testing accessibility technology on Barcelona transit network, contributing operational expertise and infrastructure access.
• Mobile World Capital BarcelonaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Mobile World Capital Barcelona was a founding partner in the 2015 pilots, providing the innovation ecosystem platform for testing mobile accessibility technology on Barcelona transit.
• Global Partner NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNaviLens operates through a global network of account management partners who represent the company to enterprise and government clients. Partners detect opportunities, present technology, and accompany decisions. The company provides product and support while partners bring market relationships and project translation capabilities.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Streetscape (CNIB): CNIB's Streetscape project is an open-data initiative for accessible pedestrian wayfinding using volunteered geographic information. Comparable mission of enabling independent navigation for blind and low-vision users, though focused on data standards rather than a commercial product.

Direct peers

• Be My Eyes: Be My Eyes connects blind and low-vision users with sighted volunteers and companies via live video for visual assistance. Comparable target user base (blind/low-vision) and use cases (reading signage, navigation help), but uses human-in-the-loop rather than computer vision.
• GoodMaps: GoodMaps provides indoor and outdoor mapping and wayfinding for accessibility, including a mobile app and digital mapping service for blind and low-vision users. Directly comparable as an accessibility-first wayfinding platform with enterprise (transit, retail, university) deployments.
• RightHear: RightHear provides accessible indoor navigation using BLE beacons and a smartphone app for blind and visually impaired users, deployed in retail, hotels, and public venues. Direct peer in accessible indoor wayfinding targeting the same customer segments.
• Waymap: Waymap offers smartphone-based indoor navigation for blind and partially sighted people, used in transit and large venues. Direct peer in the accessible-wayfinding space with a similar vision-impaired user base and enterprise integration focus.
• Blindsquare: Blindsquare is an accessible GPS and wayfinding app for blind and low-vision users, with point-of-interest audio descriptions. Comparable as a vision-impairment-focused navigation app integrated with public transit and venue data.
• Aira: Aira provides on-demand visual interpreting for blind and low-vision users via smart glasses and smartphone cameras connected to remote agents. Comparable as a service addressing independent navigation and information access for visually impaired users in transit, retail, and public spaces.

Others

• Signifyd (wayfinding): Signifyd's name overlaps with several companies; in the wayfinding adjacency, comparable AR-indoor-navigation vendors (e.g., Dent Reality, Prism) use smartphone camera and AR for in-venue wayfinding. Thematically related as mobile-camera-based indoor wayfinding, though not specifically accessibility-first.

Broad incumbents

• Scandit: Scandit provides enterprise-grade mobile computer vision and barcode/data capture scanning, including smart data capture SDK for retail, logistics, and transport. Comparable technology stack (mobile CV for markers) and overlapping enterprise customers in retail and transit.
• Microsoft Soundscape: Microsoft's accessibility initiative providing 3D audio-based wayfinding for blind and low-vision users. Comparable as a competing accessible-wayfinding solution from a major platform incumbent, though now in maintenance rather than active development.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/navilens

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NaviLens