PERCEPT Indoor Navigation System for Visually Impaired: Beta Study
Funding Source: MassDOT
Title: PERCEPT Indoor Navigation System for Visually Impaired: Beta Study
Date: 2019
Status: Completed
Summary: Independent navigation through unfamiliar indoor spaces is beset with barriers for blind and visually impaired (BVI) individuals. A task that is spontaneous for people without disabilities has to be planned and coordinated with other individuals for the BVI population. Currently, there are no commercial systems that enable BVI users to independently navigate in indoor environments. The PERCEPT system (PERCEPT) is an affordable and accurate indoor navigation system for BVI users, developed by Prof. Ganz and her team at the University of Massachusetts 5G Mobile Evolution Lab. Using real-time localization and detailed navigation instructions that are automatically generated, PERCEPT enables BVI users to independently navigate through large indoor venues, as demonstrated in trials in Boston’s North Station. An affordable and accurate indoor navigation system would (1) help BVI customers overcome barriers in navigating a complex MBTA transportation venue, to access the MBTA’s subway and commuter rail systems; (2) strengthen MassDOT’s and the MBTA’s ongoing commitment to serve customers with disabilities; and (3) promote an equitable culture that serves all customers fairly. The project objective was to assist the MBTA to evaluate PERCEPT suitability for systemwide deployment. The study showed that (1) PERCEPT trial participants’ feedback was positive; (2) the Bluetooth Low Energy infrastructure was robust and easy to maintain; and (3) the PERCEPT application was robust and could be remotely monitored.
