Haptics-based, higher-order sensory substitution designed for object negotiation in blindness and low vision: Virtual Whiskers
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: PURPOSE: People with blindness and low vision (pBLV) face challenges in navigating. Mobility aids are crucial for enhancing independence and safety. This paper presents an electronic travel aid that leverages a haptic-based, higher-order sensory substitution approach called Virtual Whiskers, designed to help pBLV navigate obstacles effectively, efficiently, and safely. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Virtual Whiskers is equipped with a plurality of modular vibration units that operate independently to deliver haptic feedback to users. Virtual Whiskers features two navigation modes: open path mode and depth mode, each addressing obstacle negotiation from different perspectives. The open path mode detects and delineates a traversable area within an analyzed field of view and then guides the user in the most traversable direction with adaptive vibratory feedback. Depth mode assists users in negotiating obstacles by highlighting spatial areas with prominent obstacles; haptic feedback is generated by re-mapping proximity to vibration intensity. We recruited 10 participants with blindness or low vision for user testing of Virtual Whiskers. RESULTS: Both approaches reduce hesitation time (idle periods) and decrease the number of cane contacts with objects and walls. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual Whiskers is a promising obstacle negotiation strategy that demonstrates great potential to assist with pBLV navigation.
Institution: New York University
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Awards: G286800492, G3092179925, FW-HTF-RL: Collaborative Research: Future expert work in the age of "black box", data-intensive, and algorithmically augmented healthcare, NSF Convergence Accelerator Track H: Smart Wearables for Expanding Workplace Access for People with Blindness and Low Vision, Co-Development of Telehealth, Remote Patient Monitoring, and AI-based Tools for Inclusive Technology-Facilitated Healthcare Work of the Future, G4933730698, SCC-IRG Track 2: Transportation Gaps and Disability-Related Unemployment: Smarter Cities and Wearables combating Commuting Challenges for the Visually Impaired, NSF Convergence Accelerator Track H: Phase II Smart Wearables for Expanding Workplace Access for People with Blindness and Low Vision, G7661995965, G8581634368, G9000048389, G9000310026
OpenAlex ID: W4407836302