Sonar navigation aid for the visually impaired

Abstract

A navigational aid has been designed and developed, with die aim of increasing the mobility of the visually impaired. The system operates based on the principle of echolocalion and alerts the user of obstacles in the vicinity by tactile feedback and audible alarms. Sensing is two-fold, detecting obstructions directly ahead and to the sides of the user, and detecting ground anomalies. The device responds as expected, tests on real people show promising results.