Authors: Hossain, Eklas¹; Khan, Md Raisuddin²; Muhida, Riza²; Ali, Ahad³

Source: International Journal of Biomechatronics and Biomedical Robotics, Volume 1, Number 4, November 2011 , pp. 232-251(20)

Publisher: Inderscience Publishers

Abstract:

The technology for terrain detection and walking support system for blind people has rapidly been improved the last couple of decades but to assist visually impaired people may have started long ago. Currently, a variety of portable or wearable navigation systems is available in the market to help the blind for navigating their way in his local or remote area. The focused category in this work can be subgroups as electronic travel aids (ETAs), electronic orientation aids (EOAs) and position locator devices (PLDs). However, we will focus mainly on electronic travel aids (ETAs). This paper presents a comparative survey among the various portable or wearable walking support systems as well as informative description (a subcategory of ETAs or early stages of ETAs) with its working principal advantages and disadvantages so that the researchers can easily get the current stage of assisting blind technology along with the requirement for optimising the design of walking support system for its users.

Keywords: HEALTHCARE AND BIOSCIENCES; Biosciences and Bioinformatics; SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY; Electronic Systems, Control and Artificial Intelli; HEALTHCARE AND BIOSCIENCES; Healthcare and Medical Engineering

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJBBR.2011.043751

Affiliations: 1: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, 2200 N. Cramer St., WI 53211, USA. 2: Department of Mechatronics Engineering, International Islamic University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 53100, Malaysia. 3: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lawrence Technological University, MI 21000, USA

Publication date: 2011-11-01

More about this publication?

• The International Journal of Biomechatronics and Biomedical Robotics provides a cross-disciplinary platform for presenting the latest developments in biomechatronics and robot assistive technologies for medical and bio applications. It relates to the design of systems, devices and products for use as assistive tools when interacting with humans and biosystems. The purpose of the International Journal of Biomechatronics and Biomedical Robotics is to provide rapid publication of topical papers featuring practical developments in biomechatronics and robot assistive technology. It will cover a wide range of areas including medical robotics, rehabilitation, assistive technology for elderly and disabled, robotic surgery aids and systems, operative planning tools, medical imaging and visualisation, simulation and navigation, virtual reality, intuitive command and control systems, haptics and sensor technologies.

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