Wearable Navigation System for the Visually Impaired and Blind People

Abstract

A wearable navigation system for visually impaired and blind people in unknown indoor and outdoor environment is presented. This system will map and track the position of the pedestrian during the exploration of the new environment. In order to build this system the well known Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) from mobile robotics will implemented. Once a map is created the user can be guided efficiently through it. The user will be equipped with a short range laser, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a wearable computer for processing purpose and a bone head phon. This system does not intent to replace the use of the white cane. Its purpose is to gather contextual information to aid the user to navigate