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NAVIG: augmented reality guidance system for the visually impaired

Combining object localization, GNSS, and spatial audio

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Abstract

Navigating complex routes and finding objects of interest are challenging tasks for the visually impaired. The project NAVIG (Navigation Assisted by artificial VIsion and GNSS) is directed toward increasing personal autonomy via a virtual augmented reality system. The system integrates an adapted geographic information system with different classes of objects useful for improving route selection and guidance. The database also includes models of important geolocated objects that may be detected by real-time embedded vision algorithms. Object localization (relative to the user) may serve both global positioning and sensorimotor actions such as heading, grasping, or piloting. The user is guided to his desired destination through spatialized semantic audio rendering, always maintained in the head-centered reference frame. This paper presents the overall project design and architecture of the NAVIG system. In addition, details of a new type of detection and localization device are presented. This approach combines a bio-inspired vision system that can recognize and locate objects very quickly and a 3D sound rendering system that is able to perceptually position a sound at the location of the recognized object. This system was developed in relation to guidance directives developed through participative design with potential users and educators for the visually impaired.

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Notes

  1. Projet NAVIG, http://navig.irit.fr.

  2. SpikeNet Technology, http://www.spikenet-technology.com.

  3. Google Street View, http://maps.google.com/help/maps/streetview/.

  4. VizWiz, http://vizwiz.org.

  5. Max visual programming language for music and multimedia (2012) http://cycling74.com/products/maxmspjitter/.

  6. Acapela group, http://www.acapela-group.fr/.

  7. Sounds available online; http://groupeaa.limsi.fr/projets:navig:start?&#palettes.

  8. Online questionnaire; http://groupeaa.limsi.fr/projets:navig:start?&#questionnaire.

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Acknowledgments

The NAVIG consortium includes IRIT, LIMSI, CerCo, SpikeNet Technology, NAVOCAP, CESDV - Institute for Young Blind, and the community of Grand Toulouse. This work was supported by the French National Research Agency (ANR) through the TecSan program (project NAVIG ANR-08-TECS-011) and the Midi-Pyrénées region through the APRRTT program. This research program has been labeled by the cluster Aerospace Valley.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LIMSI-CNRS, Université Paris Sud, 91403, Orsay, France

    Brian F. G. Katz, Gaëtan Parseihian, Malika Auvray & Michel Denis

  2. IRIT, CNRS & Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France

    Slim Kammoun, Olivier Gutierrez, Adrien Brilhault, Philippe Truillet & Christophe Jouffrais

  3. CerCo, CNRS & Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France

    Adrien Brilhault & Simon Thorpe

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  1. Brian F. G. Katz
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Correspondence to Brian F. G. Katz.

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Katz, B.F.G., Kammoun, S., Parseihian, G. et al. NAVIG: augmented reality guidance system for the visually impaired. Virtual Reality 16, 253–269 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-012-0213-6

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