I-Corps: Assistive technology using cyber connections and real-time information exchange for orientation and mobility

这个i-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发便携式技术解决方案，使美国残疾人能够与他们周围的环境互动，增加他们的自由和流动性。根据疾病控制中心(CDC)的数据，26%的美国人患有残疾。由于可以安装在便携式设备的范围内的有限的处理能力，当前的辅助技术在其所能做的方面是有限的。拟议的技术提供了一种将繁重的处理转移到基于云的服务器的方法，这些服务器可以利用足够的电力来连续地完成必要的工作。各个设备将是可组合和可定制的，以满足每个用户的个性化需求，并允许最大限度的可用性和价值。目前存在帮助残疾人与其环境互动的技术，然而，这些设备的使用一直非常有限。该项目的目标将是找出造成这一差距的原因，并使用数据来确保解决方案满足残疾人社区的需求。提出的解决方案将为用户创造个性化的个人环境支持，以提高他们的移动性。这个i-Corps项目基于5G、物联网(IoT)和智慧城市应用等先进技术的发展。目前，许多城市已经采取了智能城市和城市计算的倡议，在城市的各个地方部署了一套互不相连的传感器网络。这些设备包括：运动传感器、摄像机、生物传感器、音频记录器、火灾探测器、枪击定位系统和其他监控工具。提出的技术基于一个网络-物理系统框架，在物理空间、注入的网络空间和物联网(IoT)之间架起桥梁。例如，视力丧失或有其他特殊需要的人在物理空间中直接感知信号可能会有困难，但他们或许能够在网络空间建立这些联系。这些网络连接和实时信息交换可能使他们能够并增强他们在物理空间中的互动，并使他们能够更好地意识到他们周围的环境。该项目可以通过整合现有技术和商业化电子产品来完成，例如5G网络、WiFi、GPS、计算机视觉和更广泛的传感器设备。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 the development of portable technology solutions to allow Americans with disabilities to interact with the environment around them to increase their freedom and mobility. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 26% of Americans have a disability. Current assistive technology is limited in what it can do because of the constrained processing powers that may be fitted in the confines of a portable device. The proposed technology provides a means for transferring heavy processing to cloud-based servers that can draw on sufficient power to do the necessary work on a continual basis. The individual devices will be combinable and customizable in order to meet the individual needs off each user and to allow for maximum usability and value. Technologies currently exist to aid people with disabilities to interact with their environment, however, the uptake of these devices has been very limited. The goal of this project will be to identify the reasons for this gap and use the data to ensure solutions meet the needs of the disabled community. The proposed solution will create individualized personal environmental support for the users to improve their mobility.This I-Corps project is based on the development of advanced technologies in 5G, the Internet of Things (IoTs) and smart city applications. Currently, many cities have taken on smart city and urban computing initiatives where a set of disjointed sensor networks have been deployed in various parts of the city. These include: motion sensors, video cameras, biological sensors, audio recorders, fire detectors, gunshot location systems, and other monitoring tools. The proposed technology is based on a cyber-physical system framework to bridge the physical space, cyberspace infused and Internet of Things (IoT). For example, people with vision loss or other special needs may have difficulties in perceiving signals directly in physical space, but they may be able to make these connections in cyberspace. These cyber connections and real-time information exchanges may enable and enhance their interactions in the physical space and allow them to be more aware of the environment around them. This project may be accomplished by integrating existing technologies and commercialized electronics, such as a 5G network, WIFI, GPS, computer vision and a wider range of sensor devices.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.