Study on the use of air stimulation as the indicator in an obstacle avoidance system for the visually impaired

In this paper, we propose a device that indicates the direction of an obstacle that is encroaching into the path of a visually impaired person who is walking. Our proposed system, which would resemble a pair of eyeglasses, first detects an obstacle and then indicates its direction to the wearer through tactile stimulation to the forehead. This paper describes the preliminary testing for this device which we believe could be an effective tool in assisting the visually impaired lead more independent lives by allowing more freedom and safety of movement. © 2005 SICE.