We see every day new technologies coming out to market but a few of those technologies are focused for people with special needs.
We have just finalized a research project called GuideBelt. It is simply a Bluetooth-based indoor navigation system for the visually impaired.
The GuideBelt, which is the product of this research, is such a solution that takes advantage of cheap Bluetooth beacons attached to places/objects of interest within an indoor space.
The implementation of the GuideBelt that has been the focus of this work is an early prototype, which uses phones to simulate the Bluetooth receivers (coupled with a vibration module). This was to allow us to focus on development of the algorithm rather than electronics. Therefore, the direction of this research is towards the implementation of the system with the actual technology necessary meaning with assembled electronic components (including Bluetooth modules and vibrators).
We have also wrote a research paper of our experiment that contains important details of the project.
We have made a little image site to present some images of the development:
We have also produced a video of the experiment:
Research and Development
- Abdulrashid Mohammed
- Maytham Fahmi
- Tanase Comboeanu
Feedback for development
Thomas Pederson, Shahram Jalaliniya, Alexandre Alapetite
Technical support
Sebastian Büttrich
SPECIAL THANKS
Birgit Christensen and all participants