Recognition of obstacle distribution via vibrotactile stimulation for the visually disabled

A tactile display is able to help the walking support system of a visually disabled person. A walking guide system must detect an obstacle's distribution in walking space including hanging and/or protruding obstacles, and provide useful feedback for safe walking. In this study, we investigate the applicability of a tactile display to the walking guide. The obstacle information is transmitted to the palm by tactile stimulation. The three dimensional (3D) detection of an obstacle's distribution using ultrasonic sensors, the fabrication of a tactile stimulator using vibration motors, and the mapping of the detected results to an array-type tactile stimulator are proposed. An experiment on the recognition of an obstacle's distribution via tactile stimulation is performed to evaluate the possibility of a walking guide. In the experimental result, the average recognition rate was 95.14 % (5.73, standard error).