Researchers at Harvard University in the US have developed a smart app called "Mobilio," which helps blind and visually impaired individuals navigate and reach their destinations by analyzing the surrounding environment and identifying safe routes, using artificial intelligence, smartphone cameras, and sensors.
Tests of the app, according to a study published in the scientific journal "Nature Biomedical Engineering," showed that 14 participants reached their destinations 13 percent faster, with a 41 percent reduction in collisions with obstacles indoors, compared to using a white cane and the "Google Maps" app.
Advanced Navigation Technologies
The app is based on a study involving more than 100 blind and visually impaired individuals, aimed at identifying their actual needs during navigation. The researchers concluded the importance of providing continuous guidance while walking, precise directions when changing direction, and the ability to reliably detect obstacles.
Reliance on Smartphones
The app relies on the smartphone camera, the Global Positioning System (GPS), motion and inertial sensors, as well as "LiDAR" technology in phones equipped with it. It uses a computer vision model to analyze surrounding scenes and identify a suitable path for the user, then guides them via customizable audio signals.
Future Testing Plans
The app aims to leverage widely available smartphones, thereby providing a navigation aid without the need to purchase expensive specialized devices or rely on additional equipment that is difficult to obtain.
The research team at Harvard University's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences plans to conduct additional tests in various realistic environments to evaluate the app's performance and its ability to adapt to users' needs and daily habits.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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