Ranganatha G S • Posted by Arjun S

Created September 2, 2024

SmartNav : An Navigation System for Visually Impaired Users.

Develop an indoor navigation system using beacon technology, tactile maps, and voice-guided instructions to empower impaired individuals.

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Nordic Semiconductor nRF52 Development Kit

Seeed Studio Seeed XIAO BLE nRF52840 Sense

Story

Introduction

Motivation

Indoor spaces often lack accessibility features for people with visual impairments, making it difficult for them to navigate unfamiliar environments independently. Developing an indoor navigation and orientation system can empower individuals with visual impairments to navigate indoor spaces confidently and efficiently.

Objectives

The main objectives of this project are:

Utilize beacon technology to provide accurate indoor positioning
Incorporate tactile maps for spatial awareness
Implement voice-guided instructions for step-by-step navigation
Develop a smartphone application for real-time updates and user interaction

Design Method

Needs Assessment and Research

User Research: Conduct interviews and surveys with individuals with visual impairments to understand their specific needs and challenges in indoor navigation.
Market Analysis: Evaluate existing indoor navigation solutions and identify areas for improvement or innovation.

Concept Development

Feature Definition: Determine the key features and functionalities of the indoor navigation system based on user research and market analysis.
Design Specifications: Establish design guidelines and technical requirements for the system, including accuracy, responsiveness, and user-friendliness.

Prototype Design

Hardware Selection: Choose appropriate beacon technology, microcontrollers, and sensors to meet the design specifications. For example, you can use the Nordic Semiconductor's nRF52840 DK for its Bluetooth Low Energy capabilities and the Seeed Studio's XIAO ESP32S3 Sense for its integrated sensors.
Software Development: Develop the necessary software for beacon management, data processing, and voice-guided instructions. Use the DFRobot UNIHIKER for its versatile features and programming capabilities.
Initial Prototyping: Create a working prototype of the indoor navigation system, including the hardware and software components.

User Testing and Iteration

Field Testing: Test the prototype in real-world indoor environments with the help of individuals with visual impairments.
Feedback Collection: Gather feedback from users on the system's performance, usability, and areas for improvement.
Iterative Refinement: Incorporate user feedback and make necessary adjustments to the design and functionality of the system.

Final Design and Production

Design Optimization: Finalize the design of the indoor navigation system based on the results of user testing and feedback.
Cost Analysis: Evaluate the cost of materials and production to ensure the system is affordable and accessible.
Production Planning: Develop a plan for mass production and distribution of the indoor navigation system.

Implementation and Support

Community Engagement: Collaborate with organizations and communities serving individuals with visual impairments to promote the adoption and use of the indoor navigation system.
Ongoing Improvement: Continuously monitor user feedback and make updates to the system to ensure it remains effective and relevant.

Solution Design

Hardware

Hardware Components: Beacon devices, microcontrollers, sensors, and other necessary components for the indoor navigation system.
Design and Comfort: Ensure the hardware is lightweight, durable, and comfortable for users to carry or wear.

Architecture

Central Processing Unit: Responsible for managing the overall system and processing data from various components.
Navigation and Obstacle Detection: Utilize beacon signals and sensors to detect the user's location and identify potential obstacles in the environment.
Communication and Feedback: Provide real-time updates and feedback to the user through voice-guided instructions and smartphone application.
Power Supply: Ensure the system has a reliable and efficient power supply, such as rechargeable batteries or power banks.
Connectivity: Enable seamless communication between the hardware components and the smartphone application using technologies like Bluetooth Low Energy or WiFi.
User Interface and Mounting: Design a user-friendly interface for the tactile maps and voice-guided instructions. Provide options for mounting the hardware on the user's clothing or mobility aid.
Software Integration: Develop software that integrates the various hardware components and enables the desired functionality of the indoor navigation system.

Implementation

Hardware Assembly: Assemble the hardware components according to the design specifications and ensure proper functioning.
Software Development: Write code for the microcontrollers and smartphone application to implement the desired features and functionality of the indoor navigation system.
Integration and Testing: Integrate the hardware and software components and conduct thorough testing to ensure the system works as intended.
Finalization and Production: Finalize the design and prepare for mass production using the PCBWay giftcard for printed circuit board manufacturing.
Deployment and Support: Deploy the indoor navigation system and provide ongoing support and maintenance to ensure its continued effectiveness and reliability.

Evaluation

Evaluation Process: Assess the performance, usability, and impact of the indoor navigation system through user testing, feedback collection, and data analysis.
Theoretical and Practical Contribution: Evaluate the system's contribution to the field of indoor navigation for individuals with visual impairments and its practical implications for improving accessibility.
Outlook and Extensibility: Identify future research directions and potential extensions of the indoor navigation system to address other accessibility challenges or expand its capabilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the development of an indoor navigation and orientation system for individuals with visual impairments addresses a significant gap in accessibility within indoor environments. By leveraging advanced technologies such as beacon systems, tactile maps, and voice-guided instructions, this project aims to empower users to navigate unfamiliar spaces with confidence and independence.

Key Takeaways

Enhanced Independence: The proposed system provides users with real-time navigation assistance, enabling them to move freely in indoor spaces without relying on external help.
User-Centric Design: Through extensive user research and iterative testing, the design focuses on the specific needs and preferences of individuals with visual impairments, ensuring a user-friendly experience.
Technological Integration: The combination of hardware and software components, including beacon technology and smartphone applications, facilitates seamless communication and accurate positioning, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the system.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, there are numerous opportunities for further development and enhancement of this indoor navigation system:

Scalability: Expanding the system to cover more complex indoor environments, such as shopping malls, airports, and public buildings.
Integration with Smart Technologies: Collaborating with smart building technologies to provide additional data, such as real-time updates on crowd density or changes in layout.
Community Engagement: Continuing to engage with the visually impaired community to gather feedback and refine the system, ensuring it remains relevant and effective.

By addressing the challenges faced by individuals with visual impairments in navigating indoor spaces, this project not only contributes to the field of accessibility technology but also fosters inclusivity and independence for a marginalized group. The successful implementation of this system has the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life for many users, making indoor environments more navigable and accessible for all.

Code

SmartNav : An Navigation System for Visually Impaired Users.

#include <ArduinoBLE.h>

BLEService beaconService("181A");
BLECharacteristic beaconCharacteristic("2A19", BLERead | BLENotify, 20);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  while (!Serial);

  if (!BLE.begin()) {
    Serial.println("Failed to initialize BLE!");
    while (1);
  }

  BLE.setLocalName("Beacon");
  BLE.setAdvertisedService(beaconService);
  beaconService.addCharacteristic(beaconCharacteristic);
  BLE.addService(beaconService);

  BLE.advertise();
  Serial.println("Bluetooth device active, waiting for connections...");
}

void loop() {
  BLEDevice central = BLE.central();

  if (central) {
    Serial.print("Connected to central device: ");
    Serial.println(central.address());

    while (central.connected()) {
      byte beaconData[] = {0x02, 0x01, 0x06, 0x1A, 0xFF, 0x4C, 0x00, 0x02, 0x15, 0xE2, 0xC5, 0x6D, 0xB5, 0xDF, 0xFB, 0x48, 0xD2, 0xB0, 0x60, 0xD0, 0xF5, 0xA7, 0x10, 0x96, 0xE0, 0x00};
      beaconCharacteristic.setValue(beaconData, sizeof(beaconData));
    }

    Serial.print("Disconnected from central device: ");
    Serial.println(central.address());
  }
}

Credits

Ranganatha G S

Posted by

Arjun S

Thanks to Ranganatha G S and Arjun S.