Indoor electronic traveling aids for visually impaired: Systemic review

Abstract

Visually impaired persons need electronic traveling aids (ETA) for detection and recognition of obstacles, and navigation to desired destinations not only in outdoor but also in the indoor environments as well. Without clear GPS signals, it is technologically challenging, however. This paper provides a brief systemic overview and evaluation of current technological R&D approaches for indoor navigation. We assessed the selected indoor navigation prototypes estimating navigation technologies, sensors, computational devices, and feedback type. The evaluation and comparison of the state-of-the-art indoor navigation solutions and research implications provide the summary of observations, which are critically assessed. Our systemic review also provides some technological clues for the developers.