International Workshop on Ubiquitous Body Sensor Networks

Research Article

A multiple sensor-based shoe-mounted user interface designed for navigation systems for the visually impaired

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  • @INPROCEEDINGS{10.4108/ICST.WICON2010.8516,
        author={J. Zhang and C.W. Lip and S.K. Ong and A.Y.C. Nee},
        title={A multiple sensor-based shoe-mounted user interface designed for navigation systems for the visually impaired},
        proceedings={International Workshop on Ubiquitous Body Sensor Networks},
        publisher={IEEE},
        proceedings_a={UBSN},
        year={2010},
        month={4},
        keywords={Navigation system for visually impaired shoe-mounted assistive device infrared-based proximity detection},
        doi={10.4108/ICST.WICON2010.8516}
    }
    
  • J. Zhang
    C.W. Lip
    S.K. Ong
    A.Y.C. Nee
    Year: 2010
    A multiple sensor-based shoe-mounted user interface designed for navigation systems for the visually impaired
    UBSN
    IEEE
    DOI: 10.4108/ICST.WICON2010.8516
J. Zhang1,*, C.W. Lip1,*, S.K. Ong1,*, A.Y.C. Nee1,*
  • 1: Mechanical Engineering Department, National University of Singapore, Singapore
*Contact email: mpezhanj@nus.edu.sg, u0508779@nus.edu.sg, mpeongsk@nus.edu.sg, mpeneeyc@nus.edu.sg

Abstract

Assistive technology and assistive devices have been researched and developed to promote an independent daily life for visually impaired individuals. Navigation for the visually impaired may be one of the most challenging tasks due to high expectations on both the functionality and the mechanical specifications of the devices. This research aims at developing a multiple sensor-based hand-free device as a navigation aid to detect obstacles. The developed device incorporates a sensor unit and a feedback unit with either a wired or a wireless data communication setup. The working principle and the design criteria are identified with several working scenarios for potential applications. The implementation of the design into a prototype device is discussed in details. The prototype has been tested, and recommendations of possible improvements and future works are proposed.