Design of a User Interface for Smart Mobility Cane

Abstract

<p>The white cane used by the blind serves as a limited tool of navigation, and can be improved drastically. This device aims to offer mobility assistance for blind and deaf- blind people by providing obstacle and temperature feedback, thereby improving navigation. A logical user interface between the input and user is a vital part in communicating information to the user. The spatial input data gathered is processed to calculate object location and to provide an assessment of the potential hazards. Moreover, the temperature data acquired is compared to evaluate potential dangers. A vibratory stimulus user interface is used to transmit the sensed and processed hazard information. The hardware design of the user interface, the algorithm of signal processing, and the experimental data are presented.</p>