NSF Convergence Accelerator Track H: Phase II Smart Wearables for Expanding Workplace Access for People with Blindness and Low Vision

全世界有2.85亿人患有失明和低视力。视力丧失的一个显著相关因素是失业率，在城市环境中失业率高达81%。就业差异在很大程度上源于上下班的交通困难以及工作场所本身的寻路困难。该项目通过一个强大的辅助导航平台，即视障人士空间智能和车载导航智能服务系统（VIS4ION），为解决视障人士的就业挑战迈出了根本性的一步。VIS4ION是一款精密的仪器背包，内置一系列微型传感器，连接到嵌入式系统进行计算分析。实时音频和触觉反馈通过双耳骨传导耳机和可选的重新配置的腰带变成触觉接口。一个原型平台，部分通过第一阶段融合加速器资助开发，为pBLV提供有价值的微服务，包括实时导航、场景理解和避障，所有这些都可以改变pBLV的工作场所体验。这个转换阶段的项目广泛地寻求将当前的VIS4ION原型带到商业系统中，以影响真实复杂的工作环境。这项工作将利用会话人工智能、机器视觉、网络和触觉方面的新发展，并与用户进行广泛的试验。为了实现这个多层面项目的目标，我们组建了一个跨学科的团队，涵盖技术开发、工程、转化医学和商业管理，并得到了私营企业（b谷歌、at&t和高通）、pBLV非营利组织（Lighthouse Guild和VISIONS）以及交通和残疾人政府机构（MTA、DOT和纽约市残疾人办公室）的支持。这个转化项目将在四个相互关联的任务中执行：(1)为智能可穿戴设备提供独立的基于人工智能的微服务，特别关注支持室内和室外旅行的导航管道，零基础设施要求；(b)通过自定义AI集成和对话式AI增强协调微服务；(c)通过独特的视频速率自适应算法构建网络连接弹性；(d)在交通枢纽、医院和工作场所执行广泛的系统可用性测试。除了对医学、科学、工程和改善pBLV生活的预期影响之外，该计划还将为研究生、本科生、医学和高中学生提供临床和基础STEM/STEAM研究的正式和非正式学习机会。这些培训机会将培养多管齐下、多学科的团队方法，这对于为复杂的现实问题开发创新解决方案至关重要。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

There are 285 million people with blindness and low vision (pBLV) worldwide. One dramatic correlate of vision loss is unemployment, with rates as high as 81% in urban environments. Employment disparities stem, in large part, from difficulties with transportation to and from work and wayfinding within the workplace itself. This project takes a fundamental step in addressing the employment challenges of pBLV through a powerful assistive-navigation platform, the Visually Impaired Smart Service System for Spatial Intelligence and Onboard Navigation (VIS4ION). VIS4ION is a discreet, instrumented backpack with an array of miniaturized sensors integrated into straps that connect to an embedded system for computational analysis. Real-time audio and tactile feedback are provided through a binaural bone conduction headset and an optional reconfigured waist strap turned haptic interface. A prototype platform, partly developed through the Phase 1 Convergence Accelerator Grant, provides valuable microservices for pBLV, including real-time navigation, scene understanding, and obstacle avoidance, all of which could transform workplace experiences for pBLV. This translational Phase 2 project broadly seeks to bring the current VIS4ION prototype to a commercial system for impact in real complex workplace environments. The work will leverage new developments in conversational AI, machine vision, networking, and haptics, along with extensive trials with users. To realize the goals for this multi-faceted project, a transdisciplinary team has been assembled that spans technology development, engineering, translational medicine, and business management, supported by partners in private industry (Google, AT&T, and Qualcomm), non-profits for pBLV (Lighthouse Guild and VISIONS), and government agencies for transport and disabilities (MTA, DOT, and NYC office for persons with disabilities).This translational project will be executed in four inter-connected tasks: (1) boosting independent AI-based microservices for smart wearables with a specific focus on a navigation pipeline that supports indoor and outdoor journeys, with zero infrastructural requirements; (b) enhancing coordinated microservices through custom AI ensembles and conversational AI; (c) building network connectivity resilience through unique video rate-adaptation algorithms; and (d) executing extensive system usability testing in transit hubs, hospitals, and workplaces. Beyond the envisioned impact on medicine, science, engineering, and improving the lives of pBLV, this program will foster formal and informal learning opportunities for graduate, undergraduate, medical, and high school students in clinical and fundamental STEM/STEAM research. These training opportunities will foster multi-pronged and multi-disciplinary team approaches critical to the development of innovative solutions for complex real-world problems.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.