ISonar: An obstacle warning device for the blind

Abstract

Existing electronic travel aids have not been widely used by blind communities in Thailand due to their low performance, unattractive appearance, impracticality, and high cost. This paper proposes iSonar-a miniaturized, high performance, and low cost obstacle warning device for the blind. Ultrasonic transducer is used to detect obstacles by providing tactile feedback in different vibration frequencies at head and upper body levels to avoid collision. Our prototype devices have been tested with fifteen blind volunteers with simulated obstacles. Experimental results showed that iSonar reduced collision rates from 33.33 percent to 6.67 percent.