A cutting-edge navigation system for the visually impaired won applause Monday at a presentation of local biotechnological and medical research held jointly by the Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry and Academia Sinica Monday. The software, developed by a research team led by professor Ren C. Luo at National Taiwan University's Department of Electrical Engineering, can transform a smartphone into an electronic compass able to speak to its user. Luo said that with 'guilink,' blind people will be able to travel without canes or guides. The next step is for his team to develop an obstacle sensor, Luo said, adding that the ultimate goal is to allow Taiwan's 78,000 visually impaired people to be able to travel safely and conveniently. At the presentation, the system was honored with a national award for excellence in innovation. 