1P1-H03 A navigation system for the visually impaired using colored guide line and RFID tags : A navigation system for independent activities of the visually impaired

Abstract

There are approximately 300,000 visually impaired persons in Japan. Most of them are old and cannot make appropriate use of their white cane. Therefore, it is imperative to develop some instruments that support the independent activities of the visually impaired. Our objective of this study is a development of a simple and inexpensive navigation system for the visually impaired which can use in the indoor space. This navigation system can follow a colored guideline that is set on the floor. In this system, a color sensor installed on a white cane senses the colored guideline, and by vibration, the system informs the visually impaired that he/she is walking along the guideline. RFID tags and a receiver for these tags are used in the map information system. An antenna for RFID tags and the RFID tag receiver are also installed on a white cane.