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HAPTIC DISPLAY OF SPACE THROUGH PORTABLE NAV AIDS

Award Number: R03EY014177
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2002
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2005

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HAPTIC DISPLAY OF SPACE THROUGH PORTABLE NAV AIDS - DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Haptic display of space through portable navigation aids for the visually impaired: Spatial perception via touch is a primary compensation for the capabilities lost when vision is diminished, and the long cane arguably remains the most popular and effective navigation aid for the visually impaired. Forces and torques sensed through the handle of the cane are two of the most important cues through which users infer the layout of the environment. Surprisingly, these cues have not been explicitly incorporated into electronic travel aids, which have instead focused on auditory or vibrotactile coding of distance, neither of which is intuitively associated with the sensing of environmental layout.The goal is to utilize force and torque cues, which make the use of the cane so very intuitive in the first place, to effectively convey the layout of the environment beyond the reach of the cane. We will develop a novel class of electronic travel aids that utilize these cues, in conjunction with rangefinding sensors, to achieve this intuitive extension of discernible space. These devices can be used either as generalized navigation aids or in specific situations, such as for seeking out physical landmarks on the other side of a street to facilitate crossing. We will address force and torque cues separately in this study to determine their individual roles in spatial perception as applied to navigation as well as obstacle detection and avoidance. We will perform experiments and develop devices tailored to each of the two types of cues. Both types of devices will then be evaluated in a common set of tasks to facilitate comparisons. Since this research on electronic travel aids builds on principles derived from the most effective travel aid in use, it promises a significant enhancement of navigation capabilities of the visually impaired, with associated effects on independence and quality of life.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2004 ( Subtotal = $150,968 )
2004	2004	SENSIMETRICS CORPORATION	48 GROVE STREET, SUITE 305	SOMERVILLE	MA	02144	MIDDLESEX	USA	Vision Research	000	3	8/20/2004	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$150,968
														Subtotal = $150,968

Issue Date FY: 2003 ( Subtotal = $149,962 )
2003	2003	SENSIMETRICS CORPORATION	48 GROVE STREET, SUITE 305	SOMERVILLE	MA	02144	MIDDLESEX	USA	Vision Research	000	2	9/4/2003	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$149,962
														Subtotal = $149,962

Issue Date FY: 2002 ( Subtotal = $137,867 )
2002	2002	SENSIMETRICS CORPORATION	48 GROVE STREET, SUITE 305	SOMERVILLE	MA	02144	MIDDLESEX	USA	Vision Research	000	1	8/27/2002	NEW	$137,867
														Subtotal = $137,867

Grand Total All Awards = $438,797

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HAPTIC DISPLAY OF SPACE THROUGH PORTABLE NAV AIDS

Award Number: R03EY014177

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2002

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2005

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