A mobility tool for the blind and visually impaired includes a rod and an earpiece. The earpiece is configured to position on an ear of a user so that a first speaker is positioned proximate to an ear canal of the ear. A sensing module is coupled to a lower end of the rod and is configured to detect a temperature hazard, a water hazard, and a traffic hazard. A navigation and communications module is coupled to an upper end of the rod and is operationally coupled to the sensing module and the earpiece. The navigation and communications module comprises a GPS transceiver that is configured to send and receive location coordinates. The sensing module is configured to detect a respective hazard along a route, positioning the first speaker to selectively broadcasting directions for the route and a warning of the respective hazard to the user.

A motion assistance apparatus includes a proximal support configured to support a proximal part of a user, a distal support configured to support a distal part of the user, and a rotary frame connected to the distal support, and configured to simultaneously perform a translational motion and a rotational motion relative to the proximal support.

A motion assistance apparatus includes a proximal support configured to support a proximal part of a user, a distal support configured to support a distal part of the user, and a rotary frame connected to the distal support, and configured to simultaneously perform a translational motion and a rotational motion relative to the proximal support.

The present device is an object detection device for assisting individuals with visual impairments to detect objects in front of him or her when walking or riding a bike. The device preferably includes an assistive device like a cane and an echolocation device coupled to the walking assistive device. When a user signals for the echolocation device to do so, the echolocation device uses a parametric array to generate a sound beam. If an object is in front of the user, the audible narrow sound beam reflects off of the object creating a strong, clear echo sound beam toward the user's ear. Because the user is preferably trained in echolocation, he or she is able to determine the distance, position, and possibly the type of object.

The present device is an object detection device for assisting individuals with visual impairments to detect objects in front of him or her when walking or riding a bike. The device preferably includes an assistive device like a cane and an echolocation device coupled to the walking assistive device. When a user signals for the echolocation device to do so, the echolocation device uses a parametric array to generate a sound beam. If an object is in front of the user, the audible narrow sound beam reflects off of the object creating a strong, clear echo sound beam toward the user's ear. Because the user is preferably trained in echolocation, he or she is able to determine the distance, position, and possibly the type of object.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate aids for the visually impaired.

A wearable tactile navigation device and method. The wearable tactile navigation device includes a tactile navigation actuator. The tactile navigation actuator includes a feedback contact and is configured to control the feedback contact based on a direction indication signal to generate a tactile signal having a direction indication. A direction indicated by the tactile signal substantially coincides with a suggested moving direction provided to a user of the wearable tactile navigation device.

The technology disclosed herein includes a navigation system for a visually impaired person. The navigation system may include a plurality of fixtures, a plurality of installations, wherein each installation is electronically connected to a fixture, and an electronic device, the electronic device configured to receive auditory or tactile signals from each installation and produce a signal indicative of a fixture location.

There is presented a system and method for providing real-time object recognition to a remote user. The system comprises a portable communication device including a camera, at least one client-server host device remote from and accessible by the portable communication device over a network, and a recognition database accessible by the client-server host device or devices. A recognition application residing on the client-server host device or devices is capable of utilizing the recognition database to provide real-time object recognition of visual imagery captured using the portable communication device to the remote user of the portable communication device. In one embodiment, a sighted assistant shares an augmented reality panorama with a visually impaired user of the portable communication device where the panorama is constructed from sensor data from the device.

A virtual reality system is described herein. The virtual reality system includes a cane controller and a computing system. The cane controller comprises a rod, a sensor, and a brake mechanism, wherein the sensor is configured to generate a signal that is indicative of position, direction of movement, and velocity of the rod, and wherein the brake mechanism is configured to apply a force to the rod. The computing system receives the signal, computes a position, direction of movement, and velocity of a virtual rod in a virtual space, and outputs a control signal to the brake mechanism based upon such computation. The brake mechanism applies the force to the rod in a direction and with a magnitude indicated in the control signal, thereby preventing the user from causing the virtual rod to penetrate a virtual barrier in the virtual space.