Walking navigation system for the visually impaired using a guide stick

We have proposed an online navigation system for the visually impaired. In our previous system, we used a pedometer and a terrestrial magnetic sensor. This system has the problems of cumulative errors in the measurement of walking distance and errors in the detection of walking direction due to the lean of the terrestrial magnetic sensor. In this paper, we develop another navigation system that uses a guide stick to which is attached as small wheel at the end of the stick instead of a pedometer and a device for keeping the terrestrial magnetic sensor horizontal in order to improve the problems of the previous system. Thus, we can obtain a more exact walking locus. To navigate the visually impaired, we propose a method using auditory signals consisting of voice sound and buzzer. Further, we attach an answering machine to the guide stick to provide the required information whenever requested. To evaluate the navigation system, we conduct walking experiments using blindfolded and visually impaired individuals. It is seen that this system can guide them to a destination at a distance of about 620 m and is useful as a navigation system for the visually impaired. (C) 1997 Scripta Technica, Inc.