Multisensor Strategies to Assist Blind People: A Clear-Path Indicator

The development of electronic sensing devices for the visually impaired requires knowledge of the needs and abilities of this class of people. This paper presents a rough analysis that can be used to properly define the criteria to be adopted for the design of such devices. In particular, attention will be focused on clear-path indicators, highlighting their role in orientation and mobility tasks. A new device belonging to this class is presented. The detector is based on a multisensor strategy and adopts smart signal processing to provide the user with suitable information about the position of objects hindering his or her path. Experimental trials demonstrate the efficiency of the device developed.