Integrated Supporting Platform for the Visually Impaired : Using Smart devices and Web-based Server

Abstract

For the visually impaired (VI)'s safe walking, this platform provide both VI and guardians with optimal information through commonly used smart devices. This contributes to enhancing safety of walk, and composing a single platform which integrates each assistive technology by using web-based interface. The overall platform is composed of four categories, and each category interacts with each other through HTTP connection. The main server provides VI with information including travel information. The experiment was conducted by walk simulation, performance test and descriptive evaluation to test the performance of the platform. As a result, the practicality and defects of the platform are induced from the measurement data and feedback data. Walk simulation experiment is conducted for 64 times, and it is divided into four cases. Each case measured travel time, deviation frequencies, and satisfaction degrees. The experiment indicates that the best result is induced when each individual device systematically combines. The descriptive evaluation was studied by content analysis and categorized advantages and disadvantages as units. The appearance of this platform allows VI not only to get the optimal information but also to improve safety of walk. As for guardians, they can administrate the application, and update the latest information at any time, which contributes to individual administration. This platform, furthermore, can play an important role in providing VI with more precise information by combining artificial intelligence and virtual reality technology in next decades. In addition, this will contribute to expanding platform architecture for those who need assistance to walk.