Development of a wearable support system to aid the visually impaired in independent mobilization and navigation.

Visually impaired individuals have great difficulty in navigating unfamiliar environments. Conventional methods of obstacle detection are not always sufficient, thus a need exists for a low-cost device which could aid the visually impaired in navigating indoor environments. The aim of this study is to develop a wearable prototype support system which aids the visually impaired in independent navigation and mobilization. It utilizes ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles and transmits feedback to the user through an array of vibration motors. The prototype device was evaluated by detecting the sensor signatures of various common static household obstacles. Trends were identified in these signatures which can be used to give feedback to the user of the type of obstacle encountered. The results show the basic feasibility of the device in static indoor obstacle detection and identification for the visually impaired. However, further refinement is needed to extend the system's functionality by detecting dynamic obstacles.