An Outdoor Navigation System for Blind Pedestrians Using GPS and Tactile-Foot Feedback
Source abstract
Abstract
This paper presents a novel, wearable navigation system for visually impaired and blind pedestrians that combines a global positioning system (GPS) for user outdoor localization and tactile-foot stimulation for information presentation. Real-time GPS data provided by a smartphone are processed by dedicated navigation software to determine the directions to a destination. Navigational directions are then encoded as vibrations and conveyed to the user via a tactile display that inserts into the shoe. The experimental results showed that users were capable of recognizing with high accuracy the tactile feedback provided to their feet. The preliminary tests conducted in outdoor locations involved two blind users who were guided along 380–420 m predetermined pathways, while sharing the space with other pedestrians and facing typical urban obstacles. The subjects successfully reached the target destinations. The results suggest that the proposed system enhances independent, safe navigation of blind pedestrians and show the potential of tactile-foot stimulation in assistive devices.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Tactile and Sensory Interactions · Smart Parking Systems Research · Gaze Tracking and Assistive Technology
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Panamericana, Aguascalientes 20290, Mexico
Physics Department, Université de Rouen, Mont-Saint-Aignan 76821, France
Faculty of Engineering and Sciences, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Peñalolén, Santiago 7941169, Chile
Department of Innovation Engineering, Università del Salento, Lecce 73100, Italy
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