A C Kooijman, M T Uyar
University of Groningen, Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology, Groningen, The Netherlands
Background
Visually impaired people encounter several difficulties while finding one's way safely and self-confident in familiar and unfamiliar environments due to their limited opportunities to perceive obstacles and to read signs. Mobility techniques like the use of long cane, guiding lines, warning tiles, and several technical aids are intended to avoid dangerous collisions and to recognise landmarks. Travel systems (GPS, IR) can be complementary as these systems provide information about the direction to the desired destination. The development of these systems started around 20 years ago and is in full development.
Method
We tested the mobility performance in a corridor complex with and without the use of two talking travel systems based on infrared communication. Each of twenty-five visually impaired people walked twelve routes: four without and four with the use of each of the two travel systems. Outcome parameters were relative walking speed, error rate and appreciation of each of the three travel conditions.
Results
Relative walking speed with travel system A was 18 % above and with system B 25% below the walking speed without a system. These differences were significant. Mean error rate was highest without the use of a system (1.5 error per route), non-significantly lower with the use of system B (1.25 error per route) and significantly lower with the use of system A (0.4 error per route). All subjects would prefer to use one of the two systems to find ones way, but the preference for system A was significantly higher than for system B.
Conclusion
A talking travel system can be very helpful for VIPs and it can increase their independence. The system configuration has a high impact on the resulting walking speed and satisfaction, and future systems have to be evaluated carefully in respect to these parameters.
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