CONSTRUCTION OF A GUIDANCE SYSTEM FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS IN FLAT FLOOR ENVIRONMENTS：IDENTIFICATION FACTORS OF FLOORING MATERIALS USING A WHITE CANE

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the limits of a visually impaired person’s ability to use a white cane to detect floor changes when walking on a less uneven floor.

Research methods included analysis of vibration spectrum of different flooring materials using an experimental white cane, as well as sensory evaluation of flooring material identification by subjects.

The results confirmed that the detection of differences in flooring materials by a white cane is based on the vibration spectrum transmitted from the white cane to the person and recognized by the person.