Pro-Athlete: A guide system for visually impaired athletes in Olympic track race

Abstract

Assistive technologies can improve quality of life of people with special needs, providing autonomy in their daily activities. An opportunity for improvement appears in the athletics race on the track for the visually impaired, where currently the disabled athlete does not have autonomy and runs tied by rope to a guide and may have several problems of disqualification and reduced performance due to the necessary synchronization between athlete and guide. In this context, in this article we developed a hardware and software prototype equipped with wireless communication and a language code that uses vibrating stimuli to generate commands that guide the visually impaired athlete in the Olympic track race. The prototype was tested in simulated athletic races, showing good results, with commands and stimuli being well understood and interpreted by visually impaired athletes.

Microcomputer-Based Assistive Device for Visually Impaired Athletes in Track and Field Events

“…Additionally, Peiris et al (2016) created an innovative vest using open-source computer vision programming functions mainly aimed at real-time computer vision, which can be used up to 100m. Furthermore, Machado & Carvalho (2021) developed an innovation for blind athletes using Android smartphones through wireless networks. This innovation can control athletes outside the field using a smartphone but requires assistance from someone outside the field and an internet connection to connect to the innovation.…”

“…Mestika & Sriwano (2014) introduced an innovative device using line follower technology, which can be used for short-distance running tracks up to 100 meters. Machado & Carvalho (2021) developed an innovation for visually impaired individuals using Android smartphone technology through wireless connections, suitable for short distances of up to 100 meters. Peiris et al (2016) created an innovation called "eye vista" using the Open Source Computer Vision method, primarily aimed at real-time computer vision, which functions up to 100 meters and weighs 250 grams.…”