Independent Navigation for the Visually Impaired Using a Wearable, Vision-Based Feedback System

Automatic navigation systems have been developed previously to aid the visually impaired, but these devices have not been as reliable and easy to use as a cane — the type of metal-tipped cane that visually impaired people frequently use to identify clear walking paths. These canes, however, have drawbacks. First, the obstacles they come in contact with are sometimes other people. Second, they can't identify certain types of objects, such as tables or chairs, or determine whether a chair is already occupied.