An electronic traveler aid for the blind using multiple range sensors

Abstract

This paper presents a novel electronic travel aid, called iSONIC, which can help a visually impaired person walk around more safely. Attached to a conventional white cane, the iSONIC detects obstacles at head-height that cannot be covered by a traditional cane and gives warnings in the forms of vibration or sound to avoid dangerous situations. We developed an algorithm to restrict the sensing range to reduce confusing and unnecessary detections and a method to remove the sensing errors due to the impact of ground tapping. In addition to obstacle detection, the iSONIC give information of object color and the environmental brightness when the user wants to know.

The SmartVision Navigation Prototype for Blind Users

“…Here we may assume that blind persons do not put very important objects nor such a gadget at arbitrary locations, but: errare humanum est! There are other technologies which can be employed, notably ultrasound detectors for spotting possible obstacles at foot-or head-height [10]. An alternative to GPS is Wi-Fi and mobile phone (GSM) localisation by "fingerprinting."…”

“…The approach for the Greek project SmartEyes [15] is similar to that of SmartVision, with ongoing collaboration, but SmartEyes' visual functionality is entirely based on stereo vision for detecting walkable open spaces and obstacles. For other initiatives we refer to [5,10] The vision module provides local orientation instructions by detecting sidewalk borders and possible obstacles in front on the path, for guiding the user safely. It also detects already known landmarks (GIS in the immediate surrounding) in order to confirm encountered POIs and re-calibrate the user's position if GPS or Wi-Fi cannot be received.…”

Design and analysis of an infrared range sensor system for floor-state estimation

“…4. This system informs the user of the floor state via either a synthesized voice or a haptic device [9]. The beam width of the infrared range sensors is narrow enough that the sensors do not interfere with each others.…”

VISUAL NAVIGATION FOR THE BLIND - Path and Obstacle Detection

“…One system integrates outdoor navigation with obstacle detection (Lee et al, 2008). Another is the electronic travel aid called iSONIC (Kim et al, 2009). The latter complements the conventional cane by detecting obstacles at head height.…”