Fundamentals of Indoor Vlp: Providing Autonomous Mobility for Visually Impaired People

Abstract

In this paper, we explore different alternatives of solving the challenging problem of providing mobility for visually impaired people using wireless optical communications. This matter falls under the universal design paradigm, referred to produce and design inherently accessible buildings, products and environments, especially suitable for older or handicapped people. This a growing market as life expectancy rises, Not only due to the spread of modern medicine techniques but to better access to drugs, better hygienic habits and more adequate and healthy nutrition. In this work we show how different optical wireless communication techniques (including visible light communications or optical camera communications) are to be used as a guidance technology for visually impaired people on indoor scenarios, using universally available smartphone cameras as receiver.