#China #China Telecom #TeleNavi #digital travel #Rizhao, Shangzhi

China Telecom's TeleNavi: Empowering the Elderly in Digital Travel

As technology advances, the internet plays an increasingly vital role in enhancing convenience for younger generations. However, a distinct divide separates the tech-savvy youth from the elderly, many of whom find themselves overwhelmed and confused by smartphones and digital services. This situation gives rise to what has been termed the 'Digital Travel Dilemma.' Aging individuals frequently contend with issues like using e-maps and apps for ride-hailing, often hampering their ability to travel independently. It is reported that a mere 24.1% of the elder population in China are confident enough to utilize smartphones for assistance in their daily activities. Consequently, 74% still hail taxis physically, and a quarter of them venture out for daily excursions that measure less than one kilometer.

Addressing the Digital Travel Barrier

In response to these challenges, the Ministry of Transportation in China launched the 95128 service hotline, aimed at simplifying ride-hailing for the elderly. Despite this initiative, significant hurdles prevail; particularly in achieving accurate user location and managing high costs coupled with inefficient human customer service. Hence, the hotline struggles to gain traction and become a mainstream service.

To tackle these pressing concerns, China Telecom introduced an innovative solution—Voice-Only Location and Navigation Technology. This breakthrough approach aims to deliver precise positioning without depending on GPS systems or even smartphones. Leveraging Open Gateway APIs of GSMA alongside China Telecom's proprietary large language model named 'TeleChat', they have developed 'TeleNavi', the world's first large model catering to voice-only navigation and positioning. TeleNavi has been equipped to address various tasks including User Intent Recognition, Location Keywords Extraction, and Address Verification, boasting a location accuracy of within 5 meters and an average operational time of just 25 seconds.

Commercial Implementation and Results

Currently, TeleNavi is being piloted in two third-tier cities: Rizhao in Shandong Province and Shangzhi in Heilongjiang Province. The initiative is already seeing noteworthy success, with an average of 8,000 to 10,000 daily orders processed in each city. The anticipated annual revenue is set at an impressive 7 million CNY. This new service has not only simplified the ride-hailing experience but has also significantly reduced the reliance on human customer service providers while enhancing driver and passenger satisfaction. Government transportation departments, taxi operators, and users alike have welcomed and praised this transformative project, which has already served approximately 600,000 users.

Beyond generating revenue, TeleNavi is redefining the landscape of age-friendly services, promoting digital inclusion and awareness among the elderly. The accumulated revenue also covers various additional services such as special lines, IoT cards, SMS, and Voice DICT solutions.

Future Prospects and Vision

China Telecom's commitment to social responsibility and digital innovation is reflected in this project, as they continue to push boundaries through robust AI utilization and API capabilities. Recognized at the MWC24 GSMA Open Gateway Hackathon, where they secured a runner-up position, the project demonstrates a commitment to developing value-driven services. The attention garnered through invitations to the 2024 World Internet Conference highlights their ongoing dedication to catering to the needs of their users, particularly the elderly, and further emphasizes their importance in bridging the digital divide.

As TeleNavi aids the elderly in overcoming the travel dilemmas posed by the digital age, it also enriches their lives, ensuring they are not left behind in this technological evolution. This pioneering technology undoubtedly provides promising prospects, not just in aging navigation but also in emergency search and rescue scenarios, paving the way for a more accessible and inclusive future for all.