Obstacle identification and avoidance using the ‘EyeCane’: A tactile sensory substitution device for blind individuals

Galit Buchs, Shachar Maidenbaum, Amir Amedi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

One of the main challenges facing the blind and visually impaired is independent mobility without being obtrusive to their environment. We developed a tactile low-cost finger-size sensory substitution device, the EyeCane, to aid the Blind in obstacle identification and avoidance in an unobtrusive manner. A simplified version of the EyeCane was tested on 6 sighted blindfolded participants who were naïve to the device. After a short (2-3 min) training period they were asked to identify and avoid knee-to-waist-high (Side) and sidewalk-height (Floor) obstacles using the EyeCane. Avoidance included walking around or stepping over the obstacles. We show that in the fifth trial, participants correctly identified 87 ± 13.6% (mean ± SD) and correctly avoided 63 ± 15% of the side obstacles compared to 14% in the control condition (p < 4E-10 and p < 1.1E-05 respectively). For Floor obstacles, participants correctly identified 79 ± 18.8% and correctly avoided 41 ± %37.6 compared to the control’s 10% (p < 0.002 and p < 0.06 respectively).

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHaptics
Subtitle of host publicationNeuroscience, Devices, Modeling, and Applications - 9th International Conference, EuroHaptics 2014, Proceedings
EditorsMalika Auvray, Christian Duriez, Christian Duriez, Malika Auvray
PublisherSpringer Verlag
Pages96-103
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9783662441954
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2014
Externally publishedYes
Event9th International Conference on Haptics: Neuroscience, Devices, Modeling, and Applications, EuroHaptics 2014 - Versailles, France
Duration: 24 Jun 201426 Jun 2014

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume8619
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference9th International Conference on Haptics: Neuroscience, Devices, Modeling, and Applications, EuroHaptics 2014
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityVersailles
Period24/06/1426/06/14

Keywords

  • Assistive technology
  • Blind
  • Mobility
  • Obstacle avoidance
  • Sensory substitution

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Theoretical Computer Science
  • General Computer Science

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