I-Corps: Device for the Visually Impaired Designed to Improve Mobility

从经济和社会的角度来看，这一i-Corps项目的广泛影响/商业潜力都是巨大的。美国有800万人视力受损(VI)。患有VI的成年人中有很大一部分是失业的。该平台通过允许VI个人在身体上和社会上移动来帮助应对这些挑战。该平台读取字符和识别对象，并将该信息传达给用户。当VI用户需要即时帮助时，系统可以将视频发送给朋友或家人，以提供即时支持。该平台通过减少对VI照顾者的要求来创造价值。它还有望通过最大限度地减少事故来降低保险费。这个i-Corps项目结合了人工智能(AI)和基于社区的对等支持。这项技术使用了经过充分测试的人工智能功能，如字符和对象识别。通过消除人工智能的高端功能，不确定性和成本都得到了降低。另一种技术是点对点支持系统，通常使用有偿或无偿的帮手。对于点对点支持，该系统包括由用户标识的帮助者。通过融合两种技术的成熟功能并允许用户使用自己的助手，该系统代表了一种新的创新和定制技术。视障(VI)人群可能会轻松和舒适地使用该平台。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is significant from both economic and societal standpoints. There are 8 million people in the US who are Visually Impaired (VI). A large percent of adults with VI are unemployed. This platform helps to address these challenges by allowing VI individuals to be physically and socially mobile. The platform reads characters and identifies objects and communicates this information to the user. When the VI user needs immediate help, the system can stream a video feed to friends or family members to provide immediate support. This platform creates value through reducing the demands placed on VI caregivers. It is also expected to reduce insurance premiums by minimizing accidents.This I-Corps project combines AI (Artificial Intelligence) and community based peer-to-peer support. This technology uses well tested AI features such as character and object recognition. By eliminating the high end features of AI, both uncertainty and costs are reduced. The other technology, the peer-to-peer support system, typically uses either paid or unpaid helpers. For peer-to-peer support, this system includes helpers identified by the users. By blending proven features of two technologies and allowing the users to use their own helpers, this system represents a new innovative and customized technology. The Visually Impaired (VI) population can potentially use the platform with ease and comfort.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.