Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
Department of Material Science & Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
Sensors (Basel). 2019 Aug 31;19(17):3783. doi: 10.3390/s19173783.
Nineteen million Americans have significant vision loss. Over 70% of these are not employed full-time, and more than a quarter live below the poverty line. Globally, there are 36 million blind people, but less than half use white canes or more costly commercial sensory substitutions. The quality of life for visually impaired people is hampered by the resultant lack of independence. To help alleviate these challenges this study reports on the development of a low-cost, open-source ultrasound-based navigational support system in the form of a wearable bracelet to allow people with the lost vision to navigate, orient themselves in their surroundings and avoid obstacles when moving. The system can be largely made with digitally distributed manufacturing using low-cost 3-D printing/milling. It conveys point-distance information by utilizing the natural active sensing approach and modulates measurements into haptic feedback with various vibration patterns within the four-meter range. It does not require complex calibrations and training, consists of the small number of available and inexpensive components, and can be used as an independent addition to traditional tools. Sighted blindfolded participants successfully demonstrated the device for nine primary everyday navigation and guidance tasks including indoor and outdoor navigation and avoiding collisions with other pedestrians.
1900 万美国人存在严重的视力损失。其中超过 70%的人没有全职工作，超过四分之一的人生活在贫困线以下。在全球范围内，有 3600 万盲人，但只有不到一半的人使用白色手杖或更昂贵的商业感官替代物。视力障碍者的生活质量因缺乏独立性而受到阻碍。为了帮助缓解这些挑战，本研究报告了一种低成本、开源的基于超声的导航支持系统的开发，该系统以可穿戴手镯的形式出现，使失明者能够在移动时导航、定位自己的周围环境并避免障碍物。该系统可以主要通过数字分布式制造使用低成本的 3D 打印/铣削来实现。它通过利用自然主动传感方法来传递点-距离信息，并通过在四米范围内的各种振动模式将测量结果调制为触觉反馈。它不需要复杂的校准和培训，由数量有限的现成和廉价组件组成，并且可以作为传统工具的独立附加设备使用。蒙住眼睛的有视力的参与者成功地展示了该设备用于九项主要的日常导航和引导任务，包括室内和室外导航以及避免与其他行人碰撞。
