Fusion of Artificial Vision and GPS to Improve Blind Pedestrian Positioning

Orientation and mobility are tremendous problems for Blind people. Assistive technologies based on Global Positioning System (GPS) could provide them with a remarkable autonomy. Unfortunately, GPS accuracy, Geographical Information System (GIS) data and map-matching techniques are adapted to vehicle navigation only, and fail in assisting pedestrian navigation, especially for the Blind. In this paper, we designed an assistive device for the Blind based on adapted GIS, and fusion of GPS and vision based positioning. The proposed assistive device may improve user positioning, even in urban environment where GPS signals are degraded. The estimated position would then be compatible with assisted navigation for the Blind. Interestingly the vision module may also answer Blind needs by providing them with situational awareness (localizing objects of interest) along the path. Note that the solution proposed for positioning could also enhance autonomous robots or vehicles localization.