Assistive Interface for the Visually Impaired
To address this challenge, Purdue University researchers developed a real-time multimodal image perception system to transform scientific data to something more useful. Image features such as size, color, shape, intensity, location, texture, and opacity are individually mapped through three different sensory channels of hearing, haptics, and vibrotactility. Experimental results have confirmed that this real-time approach provides greater accuracy in recognizing and analyzing objects within images compared to tactile papers. Participants have also shown better analytic performance with this technology compared to other one-sensory standard interfaces. Although this technology may take more time when exploring an image, it also allows higher accuracy during the actual analysis of that information.Thus, this technology has potential use during lab experimentation for BVI people, which would greatly enhance information interpretation. It would allow advancement in careers in medicine, biology, chemistry, and others alike that has so far been restricted for this population.
Real-time interface Multiple image features Three sensory channels
University, government, and corporate labs
Bradley DuerstockPurdue Biomedical EngineeringPurdue Industrial Engineering
United States
None
USA
