Specialists from the Novosibirsk State Technical University NETI, the portal “have developed a mobile electronic “guide” for the blind, which uses vibration and voice notification to warn the owner about the proximity of obstacles within a 4 m radius, their type and level of danger,” Scientific Russia reports on July 29, citing the press service of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation.
The white cane, currently used to help visually impaired people, helps a person navigate in space only within its length and makes it difficult to walk quickly. The innovative alternative proposed by the Novosibirsk scientists, a compact “guide” device, lacks these drawbacks.
The electronic assistant uses two types of sensors to recognize obstacles in the user’s path, said the project manager, associate professor of the Department of Radio Receiving and Transmitting Devices of the Faculty of Radio Engineering and Electronics of NSTU NETI, Candidate of Technical Sciences Andrey Nikulina:
“Time-of-flight sensors emit a short infrared light signal, measure its travel time and calculate the distance from it. Ultrasonic sensors work on the principles of echolocation.” Information from the sensors enters the device’s control processor, which uses it to determine the type of obstacles in the device’s owner’s path.
“The electronic assistant recognizes the following types of obstacles: wall, downward staircase or cliff, upward staircase, shallow hole, low obstacle and protruding obstacle.”, Nikulin clarified. To recognize all types of obstacles, a mathematical model of the device’s operation was created and, based on it, an algorithm was built that was implemented in a microcontroller.”.
In the case of several obstacles, the algorithm evaluates their priority based on the level of danger. For example, if there is a hole and hanging branches on the path, the device first promptly informs the owner about the greatest danger – the hole, and immediately about a lesser threat – low branches.
“The user must hold the device vertically with the sensors facing forward to recognize all obstacles.Nikulin said. — When placed horizontally, the device activates the pathfinding mode. And if the device is held up or down, it will operate in range-measuring mode, without the ability to recognize obstacles.”.
A message is given about the type of obstacle, and the distance to the object is indicated by the level of vibration: the closer the obstacle is, the stronger the device vibrates. This method of alerting the blind was chosen precisely because many years of experience have shown that it is the most comfortable way for them to interact with the environment.
The ergonomic shape of the electronic guide allows it to be held comfortably in either hand, while maintaining freedom and speed of movement. The device is autonomous: it does not need to be connected to anything while driving. The battery of the electronic assistant provides 10 hours of active operation and up to 300 hours in standby mode, enough to use the device throughout the day.
The need to recharge is also indicated by the device’s vibration, while its design offers the convenience of blindly searching for a connector to connect the device to the mains.
The developers achieved maximum user convenience of the “guide” by surveying university students and visually impaired Novosibirsk residents. The survey participants noted that due to habit, it would be difficult for them to give up the white cane, but they were willing to actively use the new device.
The developers point out that there are relatively few electronic rehabilitation aids for blind people on the market. At the same time, strange devices have a less convenient shape and only determine the distance to the obstacle, but not its type. This forces the user to periodically stop to orient himself in space.
A patent is currently being applied for for the electronic “guide” device. In the future, the developers hope for a quick certification of the device and its inclusion in the library of technical rehabilitation tools for people with disabilities.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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