Design of Smart Glasses that Enable Computer Vision for the Improvement of Autonomy of the Visually Impaired

Abstract

Recent advances in computer vision brought us closer to the levels of human vision without the need for high computing power. Developments at the algorithmic level are complemented by the wide availability of visual content data necessary for the training of computer vision, as the ever-increasing digitization of society is accompanied by the large-scale production and sharing of digital data. Working on that direction, the e-Vision project aims at the development of an assistive system for people with a reduced vision which enables the use of an array of sensors (camera and headset) mounted on special glasses to transfer the field of vision to their mobile device. The system, in turn, informs the users through the acoustic diode about the object or person in front of them. In this work, the design and development of the sensor system adapted to glasses that will support communication with the application of e-vision via mobile phone are presented. Sensor data are being transmitted in real-time, through different wireless communication approaches. Details regarding initial requirements and feedback from the pilot testing are also provided. It is shown that the system can support its mission for the improvement of the autonomy of the visually impaired.