Ultrasonic Echolocation Device for Assisting the Visually Impaired.
Echolocation
haptic feedback
navigation
ultrasonic transducer
visually impaired.
Journal
Current medical imaging
ISSN: 1573-4056
Titre abrégé: Curr Med Imaging
Pays: United Arab Emirates
ID NLM: 101762461
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2020
2020
Historique:
received:
03
12
2018
revised:
24
03
2019
accepted:
04
04
2019
entrez:
3
6
2020
pubmed:
3
6
2020
medline:
22
6
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Echolocation is a technique whereby the location of objects is determined via reflected sound. Currently, some visually impaired individuals use a form of echolocation to locate objects and to orient themselves. However, this method takes years of practice to accurately utilize. This paper presents the development of a sensory substitution device for visually impaired users, which gauged distances and the placement of objects. Using ultrasonic technology, the device employed a method of echolocation to increase the user's independence and mobility. The main components of this device are an ultrasound transceiver and a miniaturized Arduino board. Through research and prototyping, this technology was integrated into a biomedical application in a watch form factor which provides feedback to the user regarding the measured distance by the ultrasonic transducer. The output of this process is a tactile feedback that varies in intensity proportional to the distance of the detected object. We tested the device in different scenarios including different distances from a different material. The difference between the device reading and the actual distance, from 0 to 400 cm was statistically insignificant. It is believed this device will boost the confidence of the user in navigation.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Echolocation is a technique whereby the location of objects is determined via reflected sound. Currently, some visually impaired individuals use a form of echolocation to locate objects and to orient themselves. However, this method takes years of practice to accurately utilize.
AIMS
This paper presents the development of a sensory substitution device for visually impaired users, which gauged distances and the placement of objects.
METHODS
Using ultrasonic technology, the device employed a method of echolocation to increase the user's independence and mobility. The main components of this device are an ultrasound transceiver and a miniaturized Arduino board. Through research and prototyping, this technology was integrated into a biomedical application in a watch form factor which provides feedback to the user regarding the measured distance by the ultrasonic transducer.
RESULTS
The output of this process is a tactile feedback that varies in intensity proportional to the distance of the detected object. We tested the device in different scenarios including different distances from a different material. The difference between the device reading and the actual distance, from 0 to 400 cm was statistically insignificant.
CONCLUSION
It is believed this device will boost the confidence of the user in navigation.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32484095
pii: CMIR-EPUB-98207
doi: 10.2174/1573405615666190423141647
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
601-610Informations de copyright
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