Perspectives on Robotic Systems for the Visually Impaired

Abstract

Many roboticists hope to build robots and develop technologies that would one day help vulnerable populations to improve their quality of life. As there are over 2.2 billion people with visual impairments in the world, this vulnerable population is a prime target for robotic assistants to help. In a discussion with a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, someone who helps individuals with visual impairments navigate and perform daily tasks effectively, some interesting and counterintuitive questions were raised about technological developments, particularly robots. While these devices were meant to help the BVI population, many are, in reality, not practically beneficial. In this article, we highlight certain misconceptions about the BVI population and their needs. We emphasize the mismatch between robotics research and the needs of the individuals with visual impairments, especially from the lens of HRI researchers.