Wearable LIDAR Navigation With Haptic Guidance for Blind Pedestrians
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Solution Overview
Problem
Visually impaired individuals face challenges in navigating pedestrian walkways without visual displays for guidance.
Innovation Solution
A wearable navigation system using a lanyard with an electronic pendant equipped with a camera and LIDAR sensor, along with finger rings providing haptic feedback, communicates navigation instructions through audible and tactile cues without relying on visual displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If visual displays are used for navigation guidance, then navigation information can be clearly presented, but visually impaired individuals cannot access the information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual display mechanisms with acoustic and haptic feedback mechanisms. The navigation system uses speakers to provide audible directional instructions and employs vibration motors in wearable devices to deliver tactile cues, enabling visually impaired users to navigate without relying on visual information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wearable devices as intermediary components between the navigation system and the user. These devices convert digital navigation instructions into acoustic and haptic signals that can be perceived by visually impaired users, serving as a mediator that bridges the information gap.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensor types are integrated into wearable devices, then navigation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (cameras, LIDAR sensors, inertial measurement units) into integrated wearable devices. By merging these sensors to work together for triangulation and position determination, the system achieves enhanced positional accuracy while managing complexity through unified device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable devices are designed with multi-functionality, where sensors serve multiple purposes: cameras capture visual data for obstacle detection, LIDAR sensors provide depth information, and IMUs track motion. This universal design allows a single device to perform various navigation functions, improving accuracy without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 users to navigate safely by receiving navigation instructions through wearable devices, enhancing mobility without the need for visual aids.
Implementation Method 1
The electronic pendant includes a camera and a LIDAR sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A method for user movement guidance includes receiving a destination request through a mobile device. The method also includes receiving, by the mobile device, sensor data from a wearable device. The wearable device includes a lanyard and an electronic pendant attached to the lanyard. The electronic pendant includes a camera and a LIDAR sensor. The method also includes establishing communication between the mobile device and a remote system in response to receiving the destination request. The method also includes transmitting, by the mobile device, the sensor data to the remote system in response to establishing the communication between the mobile device and the remote system. The method also includes receiving, by the mobile device, navigation instructions to the destination from the remote system.