Contextual Work-In-Progress ETA Prototypes For The Visually Impaired

摘要

Objective An Electronic Travel Aid (ETA) or navigation aid for the visually impaired is a portable electronic device that is incorporated into a long cane, hand-held or worn by the client, which warns of obstacles ahead. Many commercial aids suffer from a number of design flaws, the most important of which are related to the human interface that conveys information to the user. Most aids use vibrating buttons or sound alerts to warn of upcoming obstacles, a method which is only capable of conveying very crude information regarding direction and proximity to the nearest object. Some of the more sophisticated devices use a complex audio interface in order to deliver more detailed information, but this often compromises the user's hearing, a critical impairment for a blind user. The author's objective has been to produce an original design and working prototype which is a major first step in addressing these faults in current production solutions for the blind. Main Content The prototype described is planned to be a low priced, stand-alone, lightweight system which allows unprecedented freedom of movement. The device includes a tactile user interface which enables it to overcome a number of significant display problems for the vision impaired user. The system described and illustrated is also relatively discreet, an important consideration for users not wishing to draw attention to their condition. Unlike many other systems, it signals head-height hazards and gives immediate field-of-view ahead display information in a unique manner, without compromising other sense modalities. Results A single prototype design won the Curtin University New Inventor competition in 2007. The result is now a work in progress series of working prototype designs which have been supported by industry and the local government. The design reached round two of the state's New Inventor's competition in 2008. The university has provided seed funding for the ongoing development to this stage. Miniaturisation of the casings and circuits is currently taking place. Conclusion Against a backdrop of requirement complexity the author has introduced several simple prototype designs, which may ultimately assist the mobility requirement of at least some of those with a visual impairment.