| Summary: | This report discusses the design and implementation of an enhanced indoor
navigation system to improve existing technology by aiding the visually impaired.
Loss of vision can drastically impair an individual's sense of direction and mobility,
especially in unfamiliar surroundings. Due to this, visually impaired individuals
often find themselves needing further support and time to gain familiarity with new
indoor settings. This report aims to present an enhanced indoor navigation system,
customized to cater to the needs of the visually impaired. This has been achieved
through the use of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons, a BLE-supported
Android device with in-built motion sensors, and an Android Mobile Application.
The mobile application can be operated in three different modes – regular
navigation, assisted navigation, and free-roam mode. The current implementation
of the application supports navigation at Level 1 of the School of Computer Science
and Engineering (SCSE). BLE beacons are placed at important landmarks of this
environment, and the user is provided with a list of destinations for navigation. User
interaction, feedback, and the effectiveness of the proposed indoor navigation
system have been evaluated in this report. Experimental results and observations
indicate an improvement in indoor navigation with the introduction of VirtualEYE,
the Android Mobile Application.
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