Abstract
Technology has been contributing significantly to the development of assistive devices for disabled persons (DPs). Many of these devices aim to assist people who are blind or visually impaired, providing them with friendlier ways to interact with their surroundings (obstacles, objects, and navigation). However, the high cost of these devices makes it difficult for DPs to purchase them. The development of an assistive device kit to be used by the visually impaired in controlled environments (indoor) or urban spaces (outdoor) is presented in this work with a didactic and detailed approach. This low-cost kit (USD 50 per device) consists of a Smart Cane, Smart Cap, and Smart Glove. The methodology addressed aims to support and encourage the reproduction, customization, and manufacture of new assistive devices with low cost and wide applicability. The devices are functional, benefit usability, and, due to the characteristics of the project and the materials used in their construction, do not impact the ergonomics of the visually impaired or disabled person who may use these devices. The devices that integrate the assistive kit can be used independently or combined. In addition to having detection, fall-control, navigation, and real-time tracking functions, they are independent of additional local infrastructure for their use.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 75 |
Journal | Designs |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This research was supported by Universidad Nacional de San Agust?n de Arequipa through research funding, the project ?Campus Inteligente UNSA: Testbed 21 of para 24 conceptos y tecnologiasasistivas? Contract Nro. IBAIB-010-2018-UNSA.
Funding Information:
Acknowledgments: This research was supported by Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa through research funding, the project “Campus Inteligente UNSA: Testb21 ofed para24 conceptos
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Keywords
- Assistive technologies
- Disabled person
- Smart cities
- Urban space
- Visually impaired