Improved Blind Navigation

12/03/2018

Presenter: Kevin Spehar

Team Members: Suchith De Silva, Frank Zhang
 Updates to Preliminary Presentation
● No changes to design schedule
● Wording changes to need statement and project scope
○ New Acronym: Blind Individuals and people with Visual
Impairment (BIVI)
● Team Responsibilities:
○ Kevin: Coding and Software
○ Frank: Hardware and Ordering
○ Suchith: Design, Aesthetic, and Ergonomics
Key Updates to Design Specifications
Attributes
● Does not cause discomfort
to BIVIs

● Is not distracting to others

● Easy for BIVIs to charge,

calibrate, and use
 Possible Solution Alternatives
● Main Aspects of Device: Sensor, Feedback, Portability Design
● Sensor and feedback were each determined independently
● Portability Design was chosen based on feedback type
Sensor Type Feedback Type Portability Design
Optical Audio Glasses

Infrared Haptic/Vibrational 1 Wristband

Ultrasonic Braille 2 Wristbands

Laser Guidance Haptic/Pressure Handheld

Belt

Cane-Attachment

Necklace
Sensors Overview
 Sensor Possibilities: Optical

● Consists of camera and processing unit

● Strengths:
○ Can recognize specific objects
○ High accuracy

● Weaknesses:
○ Computationally Intensive
○ Power consuming
○ Object recognition restricted to audio feedback
○ Expensive
○ Difficult to Implement
 Sensor Possibilities: Laser-Guided

● System is based on tracking lasers and their deflections by camera

● Strengths:
○ High accuracy (6cm error in detection)

● Weaknesses:
○ Safety concerns to the eyes of others
○ Cannot detect overhead objects
○ Poor performance under high illumination
○ Expensive
 Sensor Possibilities: Ultrasonic

● Active sensor that emits mechanical waves in pulses at certain frequencies.

The traveling time of each is recorded and processed to measure distance.
● Strengths:
○ Inexpensive
○ Sufficient range and resolution
○ Detects overhanging objects
● Weaknesses:
○ Cannot distinguish humans from other objects
 Sensor Possibilities: Infrared

● Passive sensor that detects changes in received energy.

● Strengths:
○ Inexpensive
○ Able to detect hot surfaces
○ Can distinguish humans from other objects

● Weaknesses:
○ Cannot detect many objects
○ Performance varies in different environments
 Ultrasound: Best Overall Sensor
Sensor Types
Criterion (1-10) Weight Optical Laser Ultrasound Infrared
● Problem: Cannot
Cost 5 2 1 10 10 recognize humans.
Range 3 10 4 6 8
Accuracy of Detection 3 8 9 6 4
Consistency in Quality 2 6 2 8 4
Feasibility of 2 2 4 8 8
Technological ● Solution: Add infrared
Implementation
as an auxiliary sensor
Overhead Detection 2 10 1 10 1
Feedback and Sensing 2 6 7 9 9 to distinguish humans
Frequency and non-human objects
Object Recognition 2 8 1 1 3
Comfort 1 10 6 10 10
Durability 1 7 5 10 10
Recharge Time 1 7 5 10 10
Total Max: 240 152 90 188 166
Feedback Overview
 Feedback Possibilities: Audio
● Audial signals are transmitted via earpiece.
● Strengths:
○ Provides information of various levels of detail
○ Can be integrated to give navigational instructions

● Weaknesses:
○ Ambient noise interference
○ Slow response time
○ Interference with listening to the environment
 Feedback Possibilities: Braille
● Tactile writing system that can be used to deliver information through Body-
Braille using 6 micro vibration motors
● Strengths:
○ Many BIVIs already comfortable with Braille
○ Detailed Information

● Weaknesses:
○ Expensive system to integrate
○ Poor response time
○ Requires the use of one hand
 Feedback Possibilities: Vibrations
● Vibrating motors transmit information through varying pulse patterns with
characteristic intensities, frequencies, and locations.
● Strengths:
○ Inexpensive
○ Fast response time
○ Does not impose on daily life

● Weaknesses:
○ Different vibrations patterns can be difficult to distinguish
○ Vibrations can be uncomfortable in many locations
 Feedback Possibilities: Pressure
● Similar feedback method to vibrations, except that signals are delivered as
applications of constant pressure rather than vibration pulse patterns.
● Strengths:
○ Inexpensive
○ Fast response time

● Weaknesses:
○ May cause discomfort
○ Long-term usage may result in signal habituation
 Vibrations: Best Overall Feedback System
Feedback Types
Criterion (1-10) Weight Audio Braille Vibrational Pressure ● Minimal
Accuracy of Interpretation 5 8 8 6 3 Interference
Cost 3 8 7 9 9
with daily life
Response Time 3 7 3 10 8
Interference with Daily Life 3 4 7 9 5
● Fast response
Consistency in Quality 2 6 2 8 4
time
Feasibility of Technological 2 2 4 8 8
Implementation

● No Major
Feedback and Sensing 2 5 4 9 9
Frequency Deficits
Learnability 1 10 8 7 7
Total Max: 200 133 119 171 130
 Portability Design
Overview for
Vibrational Feedback
 Poor Portability Design Choices
● Belt: Vibrations around the waist are often ticklish and uncomfortable

● Glasses: Vibrations on the face are distracting and uncomfortable

● Necklace: Vibrations around the neck are ticklish and uncomfortable

● Handheld: Occupies an additional hand (Undesirable by client)

 Cane-Attachment or 1 or 2 Wristbands?
● Cane-Attachment: ● 1 Wristband:
○ Comfortable ○ Low cost
○ Inconspicuous ○ Good vibration
○ Highly portable interpretation
○ Aesthetic
○ Reduces sensory
overload on one limb
● 2 Wristbands:
○ Best vibration
interpretation
○ Easily implemented
○ Easily learned
 1 Wristband: Best Overall Design
Portability Type
Criterion (1-10) Weight G 1W 2W HH Belt Cane-A Necklace
Interference With 3 9 9 9 5 5 9 7
● Low-cost
Daily Life
Interpretation of 3 5 8 10 8 7 8 8
Vibrations ● Aesthetic
Comfort 3 4 8 7 7 5 8 5
Aesthetic 3 5 9 8 6 9 10 9
Feasibility of 3 7 8 9 8 8 6 6 ● Reduces sensory input
Technological to the cane-using arm
Implementation
Feasibility of 2 5 9 8 8 6 7 8
Physical
Implementation
Cost 1 8 10 9 8 8 9 8
Portability 1 7 9 8 7 8 9 8
Total Max: 190 115 163 162 133 130 155 137
Solution Overview
● Ultrasound sensor will detect
nearby objects

● Vibrational motors will pulse

along the wrist to indicate
location and proximity of the
object to the user

● Infrared sensor will determine

whether or not the detected
object is human or not
○ If human, a unique
vibration pattern will
inform the user that the
detected object is human

● Solution will be implemented

through Arduino
Thank You For Listening!

Questions?
References
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