Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
09:01
Development of an Audio-based Virtual Gaming Environment to Assist with Navigation Skills in the Blind
Published on: March 27, 2013
An indoor navigation system to support the visually impaired.
T H Riehle1, P Lichter, N A Giudice
1Koronis Biomedical Technologies Corp. 16077 Baywood Lane, Eden Prairie, MN 55346 USA. triehle@koronisbiotech.com
Summary
A new portable navigation device significantly improves indoor wayfinding for the visually impaired. This Ultra-Wideband (UWB) system enhances independence by providing real-time location and route guidance, outperforming traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Human-computer interaction
- Assistive technology
- Navigation systems
Background:
- Visually impaired individuals require enhanced indoor navigation solutions for independence.
- Current assistive methods like canes and guide dogs offer limited real-time route guidance.
- Portable personal navigation devices can bridge this gap.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a portable indoor navigation device for the visually impaired.
- To assess the system's efficacy in improving wayfinding performance and cognitive map development.
- To compare the navigation system against unaided (speech-only) and normal vision conditions.
Main Methods:
- Construction of a portable navigation device using an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) asset tracking system.
- Human trials with blindfolded participants comparing the UWB system, speech-only information, and a normal vision control.
- Measurement of time and distance to target, and a point-back test for cognitive map assessment.
Main Results:
- The UWB navigation system significantly reduced travel time and distance compared to the speech-only condition.
- Performance with the UWB system was comparable to the normal vision control group.
- The navigation system dramatically outperformed the non-guided condition in wayfinding tasks.
Conclusions:
- The developed UWB-based indoor navigation system is effective in supporting visually impaired individuals.
- The technology offers a significant improvement over existing non-guided methods for indoor mobility.
- This device has the potential to greatly enhance independence and access for people with low vision.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Design Example: Identifying the Locations of Monuments in the Field Using Global Positioning System Device
Surveyors use Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to measure the precise location and elevation of points on Earth. In a recent survey, GPS receivers were used to determine the coordinates and elevations of two park monuments. The process involved careful mission planning, data collection, and correction to ensure accuracy. The survey began with mission planning to identify optimal satellite visibility and minimize Position Dilution of Precision (PDOP). A geodetic control point served as...
01:12Visual Agnosia
Visual agnosia is a condition characterized by the inability to recognize visually presented objects despite having normal vision. For instance, a person with visual agnosia can describe the shape and color of an object but cannot identify or name it. This impairment does not affect their visual field, acuity, color vision, brightness discrimination, language, or memory. An example of this condition in a social setting is someone at a dinner party asking for "that silver thing with a round end"...
01:29The Vestibular System
The vestibular system is a set of inner ear structures that provide a sense of balance and spatial orientation. This system is comprised of structures within the labyrinth of the inner ear, including the cochlea and two otolith organs—the utricle and saccule. The labyrinth also contains three semicircular canals—superior, posterior, and horizontal—that are oriented on different planes.
01:15Depth Perception and Spatial Vision
Depth perception is the ability to perceive objects three-dimensionally. It relies on two types of cues: binocular and monocular. Binocular cues depend on the combination of images from both eyes and how the eyes work together. Since the eyes are in slightly different positions, each eye captures a slightly different image. This disparity between images, known as binocular disparity, helps the brain interpret depth. When the brain compares these images, it determines the distance to an object.
01:30Introduction to Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System (GPS) revolutionized positioning on Earth, providing precise location data through satellite ranging. The GPS system was developed in 1978 by the U.S. Department of Defense for military use, and it became available for civilian applications in 1983, transforming fields including navigation, fleet management, and time synchronization for telecommunications systems.GPS consists of satellites in medium Earth orbit, about 20,200 kilometers above the surface,...
01:30Types of Global Positioning System Surveys
GPS surveying methods vary in application, accuracy, and data collection techniques, catering to diverse surveying and mapping needs. Static GPS, kinematic GPS, and real-time kinematic (RTK) surveying are widely used. Each technique offers distinct advantages.Static GPS involves placing one receiver at a known reference point and another at the target point. It collects exact positional data by observing multiple satellite ranges over an extended period, achieving centimeter-level accuracy for...