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

从经济和社会的角度来看，这个I-Corps项目的广泛影响/商业潜力都是巨大的。美国有800万视力受损（VI）的人。患有VI的成年人中有很大一部分没有工作。该平台通过允许VI个人在身体上和社交上移动来帮助解决这些挑战。该平台读取字符和识别对象，并将此信息传达给用户。当VI用户需要即时帮助时，系统可以将视频流馈送给朋友或家人，以提供即时支持。该平台通过减少对VI护理人员的需求来创造价值。此外，还可以减少事故，降低保险费。这个I-Corps项目结合了AI（人工智能）和基于社区的点对点支持。这项技术使用了经过良好测试的人工智能功能，如字符和物体识别。通过消除人工智能的高端功能，不确定性和成本都降低了。另一种技术是点对点支持系统，通常使用有偿或无偿的帮助者。对于点对点支持，该系统包括由用户识别的助手。通过融合两种技术的成熟特性，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。视障人士（VI）可以轻松舒适地使用该平台。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。

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.