A survey of assistive technologies and applications for blind users on mobile platforms: a review and foundation for research

Abstract

This paper summarizes recent developments in audio and tactile feedback based assistive technologies targeting the blind community. Current technology allows applications to be efficiently distributed and run on mobile and handheld devices, even in cases where computational requirements are significant. As a result, electronic travel aids, navigational assistance modules, text-to-speech applications, as well as virtual audio displays which combine audio with haptic channels are becoming integrated into standard mobile devices. This trend, combined with the appearance of increasingly user-friendly interfaces and modes of interaction has opened a variety of new perspectives for the rehabilitation and training of users with visual impairments. The goal of this paper is to provide an overview of these developments based on recent advances in basic research and application development. Using this overview as a foundation, an agenda is outlined for future research in mobile interaction design with respect to users with special needs, as well as ultimately in relation to sensor-bridging applications in general.

INSPEX: Design and integration of a portable/wearable smart spatial exploration system

“…Much of the research activity in the area of wearable/portable obstacle detection has been done in the context of assistive technology for the VIB community [9,10] and disabled people [14], drones [11,12] and robotics [13]. However, no solution offers the various conditions functionality with the size, weight and power consumption consistent with a portable/wearable device.…”

A Survey on Hardware and Software Solutions for Multimodal Wearable Assistive Devices Targeting the Visually Impaired

“…State-of-the-art mobile devices offer built-in sensors and enormous computational capacity for application development on the Android and iOS platform [80,81]. Without dedicated hardware, software-only applications provide information during navigation using the GPS, compass, on-line services and others [82][83][84].…”

“…It has been remarked that both the temporal and frequency-based resolution of the auditory sensory system is higher than the resolution of somatosensory receptors along the skin. For several decades, however, this potential advantage of audition over touch was difficult to be taken due to the limitations in processing power [80].…”

“…offer several solutions with or without GPS for save guidance. See [80] for a detailed comparison and evaluation of such applications.…”

Comparative Evaluation of Sighted and Visually Impaired Subjects using a Mobile Application for Reducing Veering during Blindfolded Walking

“…Mobile devices (smartphones, mini PCs) are equipped with sensors, sound rendering tools, feedback devices and enough computational power to serve as a basis for application development. Based on long-term cooperation with the blind community, a wide range of needs and problems were explored [11][12][13][14][15]. For example, one navigational task that is essential to the visually impaired is the ability to walk in straight line and avoid veering.…”