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Guiding Blind Pedestrians with a Personal Navigation System

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 1999

A. H. Dodson
Affiliation:
Institute of Engineering Surveying and Space Geodesy, The University of Nottingham
G. V. Moon
Affiliation:
Institute of Engineering Surveying and Space Geodesy, The University of Nottingham
T. Moore
Affiliation:
Institute of Engineering Surveying and Space Geodesy, The University of Nottingham
D. Jones
Affiliation:
Inter-Faculty Electronics and Computing Department, The Open University

Abstract

With the assistance provided by the white cane or guide dog, most blind pedestrians can find their way to known destinations along familiar routes. Finding new or known destinations along unfamiliar routes is more challenging. Before such a journey is attempted, detailed instructions must be acquired. The difficulty of obtaining and then reliably following such instructions deters many blind pedestrians from travelling alone in unknown areas. This paper demonstrates a technological approach, by way of field trials, that supplements the existing aids and eliminates the need for sighted guides. The approach has the potential to offer greater independence to the blind person. The investigation suggests that the methodology used in personal navigation systems for the sighted is sub-optimal for guiding the blind pedestrian. Suitable extensions are introduced, and the results show the proposed methodology is efficient for guiding the blind individual to unknown destinations in the chosen field trial environment.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1999 The Royal Institute of Navigation

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