Blind user response to a navigational system to assist blind people using active RFID and QR-code

Abstract

In previous papers, we presented a navigational system for use by the blind and people with low vision. The system was built upon two technologies, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and Quick Response (QR) Codes. The system has been tested by sighted people and it has reached a high level of satisfactory results to identify the current position of the user with an accuracy of less than two meters in most cases, and to safely guide users to a desired destination. The new positioning technique is based on line-of-sight QR code detection, and non-line-of-sight signal attenuation of active RFID tags using a wearable reader. The aim of this paper is to present some user feedback of the system from the blind. One of the significant outcomes of the usability test on blind participants is that the system has to work in an integrated manner in order to achieve the aspirations of the users.