Abstract

TRUJILLO MORA, Valentín; GONZALEZ JAIMES, Elvira Ivone; LOPEZ CHAU, Asdrúbal  and  BAUTISTA LOPEZ, Jorge. Analysis of the usefulness of the UAEM Smart White Cane for people with visual impairment. RIDE. Rev. Iberoam. Investig. Desarro. Educ [online]. 2021, vol.11, n.22, e045.  Epub Sep 20, 2021. ISSN 2007-7467.  https://doi.org/10.23913/ride.v11i22.897.

The aim of this research is to test the usefulness of the UAEM Smart White Cane prototype with ultrasonic sensors (alarm and vibration triggers) and GPS system (Global Positioning System) for visually impaired users. The technology included in the UAEM Smart White Cane provides the visually impaired user with several advantages to expand their mobility safely and improving their quality of life. But the proper use requires specialized training to help the user obtain the utility that the prototype promises. To prove the benefits, an exploratory study was used to analyze the training and consumption experiences of 20 adult participants with severe visual impairment and blindness. The statistical analysis was descriptive where the users' satisfaction with the physical characteristics and benefits obtained by the prototype was observed. As a result, it was observed an association between vibrations and sounds to different messages (different obstacles at small or large distances). The UAEM Intelligent White Cane with ultrasonic sensors and GPS system is a prototype that helps to the safe and autonomous mobility, increasing the quality of life of the user because the prototype presents portability due to its low weight, folding and resistant material with sound and vibratory attachments that provide the simulation of a physical map and at a low price.

Keywords : intelligent white coarse; quality of life; visual disability.

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