SBIR Phase I: The Pipsqueak: A Miniature Low-Cost Travel Aid for the Blind

SBIR 第一阶段：Pipsqueak：为盲人提供的微型低成本旅行辅助工具

• 批准号: 0712259
• 负责人: Wendelin Sachtler
• 金额: $ 10万
• 依托单位: Corpora Systems, Inc.
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2007-07-01 至 2007-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0712259&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; Pipsqueak; Miniature; Low

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I research project focuses on development of an electronic mobility aid for the blind to prevent collision with overhanging obstacles that are not detected by standard methods such as the cane. Surprisingly, there is a conspicuous gap in the catalog of mobility aids addressing this problem. There is currently no device available that meets all the following criteria: (a)low cost, (b) hands-free operation, (c) small size, and (d) low cognitive demands. Uniquely, this product will incorporate algorithms to minimize cognitive demands on the visually impaired user, as well as fulfill the other criteria. Design tasks include custom circuitry for a wide-angle ultrasound emitter and receiver, low-power considerations for extended battery life, mechanical design of the circuit board and housing, and firmware for the embedded controller. Laboratory tests will determine battery life during continuous use as well as reliability in detecting thin, semi-rigid obstacles such as tree branches. An expert consultant will evaluate the ease of use for blind users and the suitability of alert sounds and controls.The risk of injury from overhanging obstacles has been variously recognized, and this problem applies to all legally blind persons, of which there are more than one million in the U.S. In addition, many individuals otherwise afflicted with visual impairments (such as those with visual field restrictions) are similarly at risk, since head-height objects may be outside their field of view when focusing on the ground ahead. The proposed device is uniquely designed so that its use will require next to no effort and attention, allowing hands-free use without need for training to provide immediate benefit to blind persons of all skill levels and ages. Prototype parts cost is about twenty-five dollars, suggesting that the ultimate end product will be very affordable in comparison to existing electronic travel aids, which is of great importance for a user base whose income is often significantly reduced due to their disability. By developing an easy-to-use, affordableproduct that addresses a largely unmet need, the project will significantly improve the safety and quality of life for individuals with visual disabilities in a wide range of circumstances, such as work, school, and home, and during other daily activities.

这项小型企业创新研究（SBIR）I阶段研究项目着重于开发盲人的电子机动性辅助工具，以防止与诸如甘蔗等标准方法未检测到的悬垂障碍物发生碰撞。令人惊讶的是，移动性目录中有一个明显的差距解决此问题。目前尚无符合以下所有标准的设备：（a）低成本，（b）免提操作，（c）小尺寸和（d）低认知需求。独特的是，该产品将结合算法，以最大程度地减少对视力障碍用户的认知需求，并满足其他标准。设计任务包括用于广角超声发射器和接收器的定制电路，用于扩展电池寿命的低功率注意事项，电路板和住房的机械设计以及嵌入式控制器的固件。实验室测试将在连续使用过程中确定电池寿命以及可靠性，以检测薄的半刚性障碍物，例如树枝。 An expert consultant will evaluate the ease of use for blind users and the suitability of alert sounds and controls.The risk of injury from overhanging obstacles has been variously recognized, and this problem applies to all legally blind persons, of which there are more than one million in the U.S. In addition, many individuals otherwise afflicted with visual impairments (such as those with visual field restrictions) are similarly at risk, since head-height objects may be outside their field of view when focusing on the领先。所提出的设备的设计是独特的，因此它的使用将几乎没有努力和注意力，可以免费使用，而无需培训，可以立即为各种技能水平和年龄的盲人提供好处。原型零件成本约为25美元，这表明与现有的电子旅行辅助工具相比，最终的最终产品将非常负担得起，这对于用户群而言至关重要，因为用户基础的收入通常会大大降低，因此由于其残疾而言，这一收入通常会大大降低。通过开发一种易于使用的，负担得起的产品，可以解决很大程度上未满足的需求，该项目将在各种情况下（例如工作，学校和家庭以及其他日常活动）的视觉残障人士的生活质量和生活质量。