Over-Ear Navigation Wearable for Verbal Indoor Wayfinding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Visually impaired individuals face challenges in navigating unfamiliar environments without relying on human assistance, as conventional tools like canes provide limited spatial information and reorientation, leading to potential hazards and loss of independence.
Innovation Solution
An over-ear wearable device equipped with navigation sensors, memory for map data, and a multi-button user interface that provides verbal navigation instructions based on GPS and local positioning systems, enabling independent travel to designated destinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a white cane is used for navigation, then obstacle detection is improved, but spatial orientation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the navigation function into multiple independent sensor components: ultrasonic sensors for obstacle detection, GPS for location tracking, and inertial sensors for orientation. Each sensor segment handles a specific aspect of navigation, collectively providing complete spatial awareness that no single sensor could achieve alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The microprocessor acts as an intermediary that integrates data from multiple sensor sources (ultrasonic, GPS, inertial) and translates them into coherent navigation instructions. This intermediary processing synthesizes fragmented sensor data into comprehensive spatial orientation information that compensates for the limitations of individual sensors.
2Ease of operation
If a white cane is used for navigation, then independence is improved, but safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides advance warning of potential hazards through multiple sensor detections before the user encounters them. The ultrasonic sensors detect obstacles at a distance, GPS provides location context, and the system delivers proactive verbal warnings, allowing the user to take preventive action before safety is compromised.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors environmental conditions through multiple sensors and provides real-time feedback to the user via verbal instructions. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the user to adjust their path and avoid hazards, maintaining safety while preserving independence. The system adapts its guidance based on ongoing sensor input and user responses.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables visually impaired individuals to navigate complex environments independently, reducing reliance on others and enhancing safety by providing accurate verbal guidance.
Implementation Method 1
one or more navigation sensors disposed within the housing, wherein the one or more navigation sensors are configured to generate location data based on global positioning system signals, local positioning system signals, or a combination thereof
Data Source
AI summary
An over-ear wearable device includes a housing with a first portion configured to be worn behind an ear of a user and a second portion configured to extend over the ear to position an output near an ear canal of the user. A memory is disposed within the housing and stores map data for an airport. A navigation sensor is disposed within the housing and configured to generate location data. A multi-button user input interface is coupled to the first portion. A processor is disposed within the housing and configured to responsive to selection of a first button of the multi-button user input interface, iterate through a list of destinations identified in the map data, responsive to selection of a second button of the multi-button user input interface, designate a target destination, and generate verbal navigation instructions based on the location data, the map data, and the target destination.