Students of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) have prepared a project to facilitate the blind/handicapped by making use of technology to navigate them through unknown locations. The project employs a hand held GPS (satellite navigation system) to be worn by the user of the system while this user should be equipped with an FM receiver, available in many cell phones these days.
The user would have a custom-built option selection device (IVR). The computer would be located inside the building where the navigation of a person is required, continuously checking for signals from the blind. As soon as the computer system has a blind person in range, it will invite the blind to select a destination in the environment through voice messages. On selection of options, the computer would guide the blind to the desired spot carefully that he doesn't have obstructions in his way.
The hardware and software used in the project consist of interactive voice response circuit, hand held GPS, FM Receiver Transmitter circuits, Bluetooth dongle, Microsoft Windows (XP or later), Microsoft visual Studio 2008, Microsoft SQL server 2005.
The group members said that with financial resources, a lot of additional power could be added into the system. The GPS technology lags in accuracy and they designed a plan to improve the accuracy using sonars and rotating it on a stepper motor, they said adding that such a rotary sensor would help them navigate in narrow corridors.
Appreciating the project, the Chancellor SSUET Z.A. Nizami observed that the project is highly adaptive for changes. With slight modifications (albeit costly) they can enable the system to work over long ranges, where the computer would be at a remote location in the huge environment such as a forest and any human would be able to navigate, Mr Nizami said.
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