SBIR Phase II: Individualized Guidance for the Blind (IGB)

Talking Lights Llc, Boston MA

Investigators

Abstract

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop an Individualized Guidance for the Blind system which is an accurate, affordable, easy-to-use indoor/outdoor assistive navigation system to aid people who are blind in wayfinding and traveling. In a separate effort, a wayfinding system for the blind using GPS for outdoor location is now being designed and built. For indoor use, however, this system requires a complex inertial guidance system for location and guidance. In this project, inexpensive optical locators will be used to improve indoor wayfinding and supply GPS-like location indoors. Software developed will allow Individualized Guidance for the Blind locators to provide GPS-like locator information indoors and permit the input of location to the personal data assistants (PDA), updating of location and elimination of errors. As a commerical product, application areas will include hospitals, care facilities, museums, malls, schools, retail stores, trade shows, transportation facilities and otherplaces where blind and people with limited vision require navigation assistance.