The Blind Navigator project started in September 2002. It will develop a portable system that (a) performs stereo reconstruction from video inputs, (b) recognizes navigational features, (d) generates a real-time 3-D representation of objects in the user's environment, and (d) synthesizes a corresponding stereophonic acoustic image with sound effects and/or speech as acoustic cues that appear to emanate from those objects. Intended for blind users, this virtual stereophonic audio environment will augment their sensing radius by much more than a factor of ten.
There are approximately 270,000 blind people in the U.S. with no useful vision. Those who wish to work are impeded by lack of mobility to and in the workplace. By providing the blind with a system that accommodates for this disability, we will enable the blind to lead more productive lives and be more independent.
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