NSF Convergence Accelerator Track H: Phase II Smart Wearables for Expanding Workplace Access for People with Blindness and Low Vision

NSF 融合加速器轨道 H：第二阶段智能可穿戴设备，扩大失明和低视力人士的工作场所使用范围

• 批准号: 2345139
• 负责人: John Ross Rizzo
• 金额: $ 500万
• 依托单位: New York University Medical Center
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Cooperative Agreement
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2023-12-15 至 2026-11-30
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2345139&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: NSF; Convergence; Accelerator; Track; Phase

There are 285 million people with blindness and low vision (pBLV) worldwide. One dramatic correlate of vision loss is unemployment, with rates as high as 81% in urban environments. Employment disparities stem, in large part, from difficulties with transportation to and from work and wayfinding within the workplace itself. This project takes a fundamental step in addressing the employment challenges of pBLV through a powerful assistive-navigation platform, the Visually Impaired Smart Service System for Spatial Intelligence and Onboard Navigation (VIS4ION). VIS4ION is a discreet, instrumented backpack with an array of miniaturized sensors integrated into straps that connect to an embedded system for computational analysis. Real-time audio and tactile feedback are provided through a binaural bone conduction headset and an optional reconfigured waist strap turned haptic interface. A prototype platform, partly developed through the Phase 1 Convergence Accelerator Grant, provides valuable microservices for pBLV, including real-time navigation, scene understanding, and obstacle avoidance, all of which could transform workplace experiences for pBLV. This translational Phase 2 project broadly seeks to bring the current VIS4ION prototype to a commercial system for impact in real complex workplace environments. The work will leverage new developments in conversational AI, machine vision, networking, and haptics, along with extensive trials with users. To realize the goals for this multi-faceted project, a transdisciplinary team has been assembled that spans technology development, engineering, translational medicine, and business management, supported by partners in private industry (Google, AT&T, and Qualcomm), non-profits for pBLV (Lighthouse Guild and VISIONS), and government agencies for transport and disabilities (MTA, DOT, and NYC office for persons with disabilities).This translational project will be executed in four inter-connected tasks: (1) boosting independent AI-based microservices for smart wearables with a specific focus on a navigation pipeline that supports indoor and outdoor journeys, with zero infrastructural requirements; (b) enhancing coordinated microservices through custom AI ensembles and conversational AI; (c) building network connectivity resilience through unique video rate-adaptation algorithms; and (d) executing extensive system usability testing in transit hubs, hospitals, and workplaces. Beyond the envisioned impact on medicine, science, engineering, and improving the lives of pBLV, this program will foster formal and informal learning opportunities for graduate, undergraduate, medical, and high school students in clinical and fundamental STEM/STEAM research. These training opportunities will foster multi-pronged and multi-disciplinary team approaches critical to the development of innovative solutions for complex real-world problems.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

全球有 2.85 亿人患有失明和低视力 (pBLV)。视力丧失的一个显着相关因素是失业，城市环境中的失业率高达 81%。就业差距在很大程度上源于工作场所的交通困难和工作场所本身的寻路困难。该项目通过强大的辅助导航平台——空间智能和机载导航视障智能服务系统（VIS4ION），在解决 pBLV 的就业挑战方面迈出了根本性的一步。 VIS4ION 是一款隐蔽的仪器化背包，带有集成到带子中的一系列微型传感器，这些传感器连接到嵌入式系统以进行计算分析。通过双耳骨传导耳机和可选的重新配置的腰带转向触觉接口提供实时音频和触觉反馈。原型平台部分通过第一阶段融合加速器拨款开发，为 pBLV 提供有价值的微服务，包括实时导航、场景理解和避障，所有这些都可以改变 pBLV 的工作场所体验。该转化性第二阶段项目广泛寻求将当前的 VIS4ION 原型引入商业系统，以对真实复杂的工作环境产生影响。这项工作将利用对话式人工智能、机器视觉、网络和触觉方面的新发展，以及与用户的广泛试验。为了实现这个多方面项目的目标，我们组建了一个跨学科团队，涵盖技术开发、工程、转化医学和企业管理，并得到私营行业合作伙伴（谷歌、AT&T 和高通）、非营利组织的支持。 pBLV（灯塔协会和 VISIONS）以及政府交通和残疾人机构（MTA、DOT 和纽约市残疾人办公室）。该转化项目将通过四项相互关联的任务来执行： (1) 推动智能可穿戴设备基于人工智能的独立微服务，特别关注支持室内和室外旅程、基础设施要求为零的导航管道； (b) 通过定制人工智能集成和对话式人工智能增强协调的微服务； (c) 通过独特的视频速率适应算法建立网络连接弹性； (d) 在交通枢纽、医院和工作场所进行广泛的系统可用性测试。除了对医学、科学、工程和改善 pBLV 生活的预期影响之外，该计划还将为研究生、本科生、医学生和高中生提供临床和基础 STEM/STEAM 研究方面的正式和非正式学习机会。这些培影响审查标准。