Assistive Technology Device for the Visually Impaired

Functions:

• The device will be able to be mounted user by belt or watch.
• The device will provide users their current location on campus.
• To use a navigation system to direct user through a path.
• The device will have obstacle detection capabilities.
• The device will have an override function that will allow the user to recalculate the path.
• The device will have an on-off button, mute/pause button, volume control, button for user to give input to the device, button to give current location to user and button to repeat an instruction given, save coordinates button.
• The user will receive an alert from the device about new construction projects.
• The device will communicate with users through text to speech voice and will recognize words that are programmed into the device.
• The device will provide an estimated time of arrival for a specific destination based on user’s location.
• The battery in the device needs to last long enough for the user to use the device the entire time they are on campus.

Requirements (each requirement corresponds to a function):

• To minimize device size (dimensions range from 4x3x2 in to 5x4x3 in) and to minimize the weight of the device (range of 4oz to 8oz).
• The current location will be given using triangulation.
• A GPS navigation system will be used to get the user from one location to another.
• Obstacles will be detected using IR sensors which warn the user about obstacles and distances to roads and traffic within a range of 10 ft.
• The override function will be programmed as a button that the user presses to recalculate the new route.
• The interface board will receive input and compute the different functions for the user.
• The alert the user will receive about new construction projects will be a voice message.
• Audio will come through a Bluetooth earpiece connected to the main device.
• The distance between the user and the inputted destination will be used to calculate walking time.
• The device will have a lightweight, small and rechargeable battery and indicate user of battery life by voice after battery life button is pressed.