An Indoor Navigation System to Support the Visually Impaired

Citation: 
Riehle, T.H., Lichter, P., & Giudice, N.A. (2008). An Indoor Navigation System to Support the Visually Impaired. Proceedings of the 30th annual IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology conference. V. 2008, PP. 4435-4438. August 20-24, Vancouver, Canada.
Abstract: 
Indoor navigation technology is needed to support seamless mobility for the visually impaired. A small portable personal navigation device that provides current position, useful contextual wayfinding information about the indoor environment and directions to a destination would greatly improve access and independence for people with low vision. This paper describes the construction of such a device which utilizes a commercial Ultra-Wideband (UWB) asset tracking system to support real-time location and navigation information. Human trials were conducted to assess the efficacy of the system by comparing target-finding performance between blindfolded subjects using the navigation system for real-time guidance, and blindfolded subjects who only received speech information about their local surrounds but no route guidance information (similar to that available from a long cane or guide dog). A normal vision control condition was also run. The time and distance traveled was measured in each trial and a point-back test was performed after goal completion to assess cognitive map development. Statistically significant differences were observed between the three conditions in time and distance traveled; with the navigation system and the visual condition yielding the best results, and the navigation system dramatically outperforming the non-guided condition.
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Comments

This study represents the

This study represents the first proof of concept indoor navigation system based on highly sensitive GPS receivers used for providing indoor information. The conference paper describes a speech-based navigation system, utilizing this technology and suggests that the indoor wayfinding challenge could be solved using systems not requiring expensive infrastructure modifications.