Indoor Navigation Systems for Visually Impaired Persons: Mapping the Features of Existing Technologies to User Needs

Abstract

Currently, several outdoor navigation and orientation electronic traveling aid (ETA) solutions for visually impaired (VI) people are commercially available or in active development. This paper’s survey of blind experts has shown that after outdoor navigation, the second most important ETA feature for VI persons is indoor navigation and orientation (in public institutions, supermarkets, office buildings, homes, etc.). VI persons need ETA for orientation and navigation in unfamiliar indoor environments with embedded features for the detection and recognition of obstacles (not only on the ground but also at head level) and desired destinations such as rooms, staircases, and elevators. The development of such indoor navigation systems, which do not have Global Positioning System (GPS) locational references, is challenging and requires an overview and evaluation of existing systems with different navigation technologies. This paper presents an evaluation and comparison of state-of-the-art indoor navigation solutions, and the research implications provide a summary of the critical observations, some insights, and directions for further developments. The paper maps VI needs in relation to research and development (R&D) trends using the evaluation criteria deemed most important by blind experts.

Design and Experimental Validation of an Augmented Reality System With Wireless Integration for Context Aware Enhanced Show Experience in Auditoriums

“…Previous literature includes, for indoor environments, reviews of navigation and location systems [15,16], and also of WBAN [17], for VIP (Visually Impaired People). In the case of hearing-impaired people, reference [18] includes a review on assistive listening devices.…”

A Review of Technologies and Techniques for Indoor Navigation Systems for the Visually Impaired

“…The subject is quite comprehensive when discussing the composition of models, systems, and objectives [ 23 ]. Although the use of such systems allows the location, tracking, and navigation of targets in internal environments, their construction processes are established to meet precision and punctuality requirements defined jointly by the users responsible for the development of the system and the limits set by the hardware and software layers [ 24 ].…”

“…Plikynas et al indicated that there are currently many solutions available to assist in the navigation of people with visual impairments in previously known indoor environments [ 24 ]. The authors suggested that indoor environments have more significant complexities than outdoor environments, and alerts should be given more quickly to avoid accidents.…”

“…Time-based location methods are susceptible to errors produced by clock inaccuracies, errors in time estimation, and a lack of synchronization between clocks [ 24 ]. For example, for a signal that travels at the speed of light, 1 µs of error corresponds to an approximate distance error of 300.00 m. Also, conditions with non-line of sight (NLOS) produce a positive bias in the distance estimate and should be included in methods of location and distance determination.…”

“…One of the main objectives of using these resources is to allow human activities to be mapped, offering products and services that increase the quality of life for users [ 24 , 61 ]. The visually impaired make up one of the groups of people who wait for indoor positioning solutions, especially those that offer safe navigation guides.…”