Enhancing Independence for the Visually Impaired: An Innovative iPhone LiDAR-Based System for Navigating and Surroundings Recognition

Abstract

In this research, we have successfully developed an advanced system for recognizing surroundings, designed to support visually impaired individuals in navigating through uncrowded areas, effectively reducing the risk of their white canes colliding with other obstacles. Our primary objective was to overcome the limitations of previous research by creating a portable system that eliminates the requirement for additional hardware purchases. To accurately measure distances to individuals in the vicinity, we constructed a system utilizing iPhone LiDAR technology. Additionally, we incorporated YOLO, an object detection algorithm, to effectively recognize people in the surrounding area. In an evaluation experiment, a visually impaired individual utilized our system to measure both the time taken to reach their destination and the frequency of contact with other individuals while in motion. The results suggest that when using our system in comparison to rely solely on a white cane, the user’s walking speed improved, and they were able to navigate without making physical contact with others. By conducting these experiments, our aim is to enable individuals to walk safely by providing them with positional information while ensuring a comfortable experience for both the user and those around them, avoiding any instances of discomfort or collisions.