- ARGUS: Assisting Personal Guidance System for People with Visual Impairment    click here to open paper content993 kb
by    Schrenk, Manfred & Patti, Daniela & Carrasco, Eduardo | d.patti@ceit.at   click here to send an email to the auther(s) of this paper
Short Outline
The ARGUS project is developing a navigation system for blind and visually impaired people through cities, as in times of high speed urban change social inclusion and accessibility must be granted.
Abstract
Visually disabled people have striking needs for trustfully navigation systems enabling for efficient mobility services, mainly considering safety and autonomy. In this context, satellite-positioning and navigation technologies available are being implemented in innovative personal navigation devices. But existing products and solutions based on GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) fail because they lack accuracy and intergrity, they do not provide a suitable and efficient man-machine interface adjusted to this user segment, or rely on costly infrastructure.
The ARGUS project focuses on a satellite based navigation (GNSS/EDAS – EGNOS Data Access System) terminal for people with impaired visually capabilities, guiding them along pre-defined tracks using specifically designed HMI (Human Machine Interface) such as tactile, acoustic and haptic signals. It introduces the opportunity to develop an innovative guidance support system for visually impaired people based on the provision of a virtual-lead-line perception to the end user that can be perceived and followed. This will provide “track navigation” instead the classical “waypoint or route navigation” which is used for car navigation or people with all visual capabilities.
This system will be also usable for professional, scientific and sport activities developed in reduced visibility scenarios that could require accurate guidance on normal or emergency situations, as well as for other people working in reduced visibility environments needing guidance and assistance.
Keywords
navigation system, blind and visual impaired, accessibility
Case Study presented on the ISOCARP Congress 2012: Fast Forward: Planning in a (hyper) dynamic urban context
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