Assistive Technology Device for the Visually Impaired

Problem Statement:

A university’s campus consists of a vast amount of buildings within a wide parameter. There is concern for both new and current students, faculty and staff in navigating around buildings to their destination. This predicament is common for many and is usually resolved through experience, repetition and routine routes.  The solution visually impaired individuals have is incomparable because they cannot adapt as well to the environment.  Blind individuals struggle when traveling from place to place and rely on predefined and repetitive routes with minimum obstacles to lead them to their destinations without assistance. However, there is a chance that the paths they have grown accustomed to may have new potential hazards or are blocked off due to inclement weather or construction. Therefore it is important to have navigation devices that allow visually impaired individuals to maneuver and be directed throughout their journey independently and inform them of where their current position may be. Not only is it important for a blind individual to know how to get from one destination to another, it is essential to know what buildings, obstacles, potential hazards and traffic they may be near. A navigation device would not be limited to the aid of blind individuals, but can potentially be used to direct individuals with full vision and are inexperienced with a new environment.

Objectives:

• The device needs to be portable.
• To inform user of current position and what is within their outdoor surroundings.
• To direct user through path/route to direct to destination.
• To inform user of potential hazards, stairs and if user is entering a crosswalk/street.
• Have the ability to be overridden by user to reroute path when user is lost or decides to switch destinations.
• Easy to use (autonomous): User can interact with device without needing prior technological knowledge.
• Alert user about new construction projects that will affect route.
• The device will communicate to the user in a way that a visually impaired person can respond to.
• To collaborate with the individuals in creating a technology that is personalized for their needs.
• To reduce possible noise and interference between interface.
• To reduce the dependence on predetermined routes.
• To give the user specific building entrance information.