Smart
Walking Aide for
People with Limited Peripheral Vision
Smart
Walking sticks and body worn sensors that detect*nearby objects have been tried in the past to help visually impaired
People avoid hitting obstacles. Yet, the tech**logy tended to be more an**ying than helpful, beeping anytime anything was near. A truly
Smart proximity sensor should instead predict a chance of hitting an object rather than just being told that something is near.*Researchers from Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Schepens Eye Research Institute have developed a body worn device that can do just that.
The prototype system has a wide angle camera on the front that tracks objects in proximity. It actually predicts potential collisions, beeping when there’s a good chance the wearer might strike something. They tested the system
with tunnel
Vision and hemia**pia volunteers
Walking through a 41 meter-long course
with 46 objects throughout, each as tall as the participants. The study showed that folks wearing the device had a reduction in collisions
with objects by 37% compared to*when **t using a
Walking aide.
Here’s a demo of the latest prototype:
Here’s a head-worn prototype of the device in action:
Study in
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science:
Evaluation of a portable collision warning device for patients with peripheral vision loss in an obstacle course…
Source:
Massachusetts Eye and Ear…
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Smart Walking Aide for People with Limited Peripheral Vision appeared first on
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