Path-guided indoor navigation for the visually impaired using minimal building retrofitting

One of the common problems faced by visually impaired people is of independent path-based mobility in an unfamiliar indoor environment. Existing systems do not provide active guidance or are bulky, expensive and hence are not socially apt. In this paper, we present the design of an omnipresent cellphone based active indoor wayfinding system for the visually impaired. Our system provides step-by-step directions to the destination from any location in the building using minimal additional infrastructure. The carefully calibrated audio, vibration instructions and the small wearable device helps the user to navigate efficiently and unobtrusively. Results from a formative study with five visually impaired individuals informed the design of the system. We then deployed the system in a building and field tested it with ten visually impaired users. The comparison of the quantitative and qualitative results demonstrated that the system is useful and usable, but can still be improved.

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