Main researcher: Piotr Korbel, Ph.D.
A network of radio beacons is used to support mobility and facilitate the blind and visually impaired access to urban infrastructure, including public transport. The main objective of the use of radio beacon system is to allow access to reliable information about the location of the blind in the areas where good quality signal from satellite positioning systems is not available. A personal mobile assistant unit is capable to access data transmitted by the beacons. Radio beacons provide accurate information about the location of the blind. Based on these data the blind will gain access to information on urban infrastructure.
The project assumes deployment of radio beacons in the interiors of public buildings, at bus stops and public transport vehicles.
Radio beacons installed at bus stops and public transport vehicles will allow (thanks to connection to a passenger information system) to communicate blind and visually impaired information about timetables and expected time of arrival of public transport vehicles. The system will also help to identify the vehicle the user intends to travel. Data from the passenger information system will be converted into voice messages by the mobile assistant device.
Radio beacons installed in the interiors of public buildings (such as offices, banks, public institutions, etc.) will form a radio network. Mobile assistant unit will be able to connect to the network. This will allow to locate the unit and to send the location related information to the user. The system will make it easier for the blind and visually impaired to navigate indoors, i.e. to locate a given place in a public building.
