Multi-Sensor Data Fusion Solutions for Blind and Visually Impaired: Research and Commercial Navigation Applications for Indoor and Outdoor Spaces
Several assistive technology solutions, targeting the group of Blind and Visually Impaired (BVI), have been proposed in the literature utilizing multi-sensor data fusion techniques. Furthermore, several commercial systems are currently being used in real-life scenarios by BVI individuals. However, g...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/12/5411 |
| _version_ | 1797592686294728704 |
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| author | Paraskevi Theodorou Kleomenis Tsiligkos Apostolos Meliones |
| author_facet | Paraskevi Theodorou Kleomenis Tsiligkos Apostolos Meliones |
| author_sort | Paraskevi Theodorou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Several assistive technology solutions, targeting the group of Blind and Visually Impaired (BVI), have been proposed in the literature utilizing multi-sensor data fusion techniques. Furthermore, several commercial systems are currently being used in real-life scenarios by BVI individuals. However, given the rate by which new publications are made, the available review studies become quickly outdated. Moreover, there is no comparative study regarding the multi-sensor data fusion techniques between those found in the research literature and those being used in the commercial applications that many BVI individuals trust to complete their everyday activities. The objective of this study is to classify the available multi-sensor data fusion solutions found in the research literature and the commercial applications, conduct a comparative study between the most popular commercial applications (Blindsquare, Lazarillo, Ariadne GPS, Nav by ViaOpta, Seeing Assistant Move) regarding the supported features as well as compare the two most popular ones (Blindsquare and Lazarillo) with the BlindRouteVision application, developed by the authors, from the standpoint of Usability and User Experience (UX) through field testing. The literature review of sensor-fusion solutions highlights the trends of utilizing computer vision and deep learning techniques, the comparison of the commercial applications reveals their features, strengths, and weaknesses while Usability and UX demonstrate that BVI individuals are willing to sacrifice a wealth of features for more reliable navigation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:57:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0e6f423d25b544eeabbbf35634ce9a16 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:57:38Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-0e6f423d25b544eeabbbf35634ce9a162023-11-18T12:30:38ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202023-06-012312541110.3390/s23125411Multi-Sensor Data Fusion Solutions for Blind and Visually Impaired: Research and Commercial Navigation Applications for Indoor and Outdoor SpacesParaskevi Theodorou0Kleomenis Tsiligkos1Apostolos Meliones2Department of Digital Systems, School of Information and Communication Technologies, University of Piraeus, 18534 Piraeus, GreeceDepartment of Digital Systems, School of Information and Communication Technologies, University of Piraeus, 18534 Piraeus, GreeceDepartment of Digital Systems, School of Information and Communication Technologies, University of Piraeus, 18534 Piraeus, GreeceSeveral assistive technology solutions, targeting the group of Blind and Visually Impaired (BVI), have been proposed in the literature utilizing multi-sensor data fusion techniques. Furthermore, several commercial systems are currently being used in real-life scenarios by BVI individuals. However, given the rate by which new publications are made, the available review studies become quickly outdated. Moreover, there is no comparative study regarding the multi-sensor data fusion techniques between those found in the research literature and those being used in the commercial applications that many BVI individuals trust to complete their everyday activities. The objective of this study is to classify the available multi-sensor data fusion solutions found in the research literature and the commercial applications, conduct a comparative study between the most popular commercial applications (Blindsquare, Lazarillo, Ariadne GPS, Nav by ViaOpta, Seeing Assistant Move) regarding the supported features as well as compare the two most popular ones (Blindsquare and Lazarillo) with the BlindRouteVision application, developed by the authors, from the standpoint of Usability and User Experience (UX) through field testing. The literature review of sensor-fusion solutions highlights the trends of utilizing computer vision and deep learning techniques, the comparison of the commercial applications reveals their features, strengths, and weaknesses while Usability and UX demonstrate that BVI individuals are willing to sacrifice a wealth of features for more reliable navigation.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/12/5411sensor fusion techniquesdeep learningcomputer visionassistive technologiescomparison analysisremote sensing |
| spellingShingle | Paraskevi Theodorou Kleomenis Tsiligkos Apostolos Meliones Multi-Sensor Data Fusion Solutions for Blind and Visually Impaired: Research and Commercial Navigation Applications for Indoor and Outdoor Spaces Sensors sensor fusion techniques deep learning computer vision assistive technologies comparison analysis remote sensing |
| title | Multi-Sensor Data Fusion Solutions for Blind and Visually Impaired: Research and Commercial Navigation Applications for Indoor and Outdoor Spaces |
| title_full | Multi-Sensor Data Fusion Solutions for Blind and Visually Impaired: Research and Commercial Navigation Applications for Indoor and Outdoor Spaces |
| title_fullStr | Multi-Sensor Data Fusion Solutions for Blind and Visually Impaired: Research and Commercial Navigation Applications for Indoor and Outdoor Spaces |
| title_full_unstemmed | Multi-Sensor Data Fusion Solutions for Blind and Visually Impaired: Research and Commercial Navigation Applications for Indoor and Outdoor Spaces |
| title_short | Multi-Sensor Data Fusion Solutions for Blind and Visually Impaired: Research and Commercial Navigation Applications for Indoor and Outdoor Spaces |
| title_sort | multi sensor data fusion solutions for blind and visually impaired research and commercial navigation applications for indoor and outdoor spaces |
| topic | sensor fusion techniques deep learning computer vision assistive technologies comparison analysis remote sensing |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/12/5411 |
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