Development of a textile integrated obstacle detection system for visually impaired people

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With an ageing population, the number of visually impaired persons is expected to grow as well. Therefore, it is vital to provide them with assisting devices in order to maintain or improve their life quality. Even though white canes are widely used, they allow the detection of obstacles on the ground but do not prevent from collision with objects at the torso or head level. Ultrasonic detection devices are useful and provide feedbacks all around the person but they also are bulky, heavy and stigmatising for handicapped persons. This is the reason why iMerciv wants to embed EMFi materials into textile and coupled them with vibrating sensors to alert the wearer of an obstacle. The vibrating sensors, made in textile as well, will be positioned at different places in a shirt and the localisation of the vibrations will indicate the direction of the object. The integration of these elements in textile will allow a more discreet and aesthetic look while providing accurate feedbacks and high level of assistance. This project will be the result of a new alliance between CTT Group, Cegep de St-Hyacinthe and iMerciv since they will be working together for the first time. Canada's expertise and presence would be strengthened in smart textiles but also in the area of assisting devices for handicapped people which might positively impact the health expenses.