Project Review Report about the Sonic Pathfinder a microprocessor based Travel Aid for the Blind - Assignment Example

?Table of Contents Project review 1. Introduction 2. Methodological study, evaluation and analysis of the effectiveness of Sonic Pathfinder SP as were subjected under different environmental conditions and placements. 1.2.1. Shopping Mall………………………………………………………….. 1.2.2. Central Business District………………………………………………. 1.3. Result Analysis……………………………………………………………….. 2. Appendix (Literature Review)………………………………………………………. 2.1. Statements of the problems……………………………………………………… 2.2. Factors contributed to the formulation of the use of Ultra Sonic Pathfinder….. 2.3. Importance of Ultra Sonic Pathfinder over other devices…………………….. 2.4. Working principles……………………………………………………………. 2.5. User needs of Sonic Aid/ criticisms…………………………………………… 2.6. Project limitations that need to be addressed for effectiveness……………….. 1. Project review 1.1. Introduction Sonic Pathfinder is an electronic device which emits energy waves to detect the surrounding or environment within a defined range of distance, processes reflected data/ information, and delivers substantial information in an intelligible well-presented manner to the user. These are achievable through effective utilization of ultrasonic navigation and sonar or laser signals to distinguish the region for objects in one’s path way. 1.2. Methodological study, evaluation and analysis of the effectiveness of Sonic Pathfinder SP as were subjected under different environmental conditions and placements. A methodological study carried out consisted of two participants (One and Two), and behavior analysts who observed movements of these two participants. Given different environmental placements, as described in the Journal of Rehabilitation Research development, varied responses were obtained. These test environments were as follows: 1.2.1. Shopping Mall The conditions of the shopping mall chosen were that it was indoor, single level, with the irregularly shaped passageways lined with a number of retail outlets which are ever open to the passageways during business operation hours. Things that were in the Mall included signs, planters, product shows/displays and sitting benches that were located along walking paths. Pedestrian traffic concentration was determined as relatively high. As had been realized by Analyst One, a particular path from the main entrance towards the West entrance was a problem for the participant. This participant thought that acquiring SP would be a permanent solution to the problems experienced especially along the identified path. This study considered a Z-shaped path of travel within the shopping mall (from Northern to Eastern direction Entrance). The Participant initialized the experiment by facing south with their backs facing to the doors; they turned to their left and moved east, then south, then east again to the Eastern direction Entrance. Along their path ways there existed open storefronts on either sides of the walkway, and the counter and display area of a florist to the right side of the southern leg extended beyond the waking path. The southern leg of the route also ended at the entrance to a boutique shop. Frequently, there were a string of people at an ATM on the east wall before the end of this path. The East entrance was at the extreme end of a corridor to the left of the boutique shop while the central point of the Shopping Mall (which is an open region serving as the hub or the various paths) was at the right. Remarkably, this was a region known for its heavy pedestrian traffic. For affectivity, the two participants were first familiarized with the route using both dog and human guides and initially without the aid of SP and finally with SP’s aid; to the level of their comfort-ability with the route and then allowed to walk through again repeatedly to affirm their capabilities. Participant 1 walked along the path initially under baseline Phase 1 conditions, then under Phase 2 and finally Phase 1 again; completion the walk-pattern of 1-2-1. Participant 2 moved along the path though in the reversed manner, Phase 2, Phase 1, initially with the SP aid and then without its aid. The immediate introduction of intervention followed the exercise of familiarization with the same path using SP’s aid, with complete cycle of movement being 2-1-2-1. 1.2.2. Central Business District This Central Business District was considered to be the busiest streets and footpaths in the City of Palmerstone North. Consequently, the identified footpaths were cluttered with a number of hindrances many of which were portable and their positions bound to vary each and every day i.e. street furniture and sandwich boards etc. Specifically three paths (P1, P2, and P3) were designed for the venue; and one walking through all these three paths shall have walked through the entire Central Business Centre. P1 was made up of an L-pattern with one light-controlled crossing and a zebra crossing. P2 was comprised of a U-shaped pathway with two identical light-controlled crossings and a zebra crossing. P3, on the other hand, consisted of an L-shaped pathway of two distinctly located zebra crossings and one light-controlled intersection. In this environment, the two participants of the first case study of the Shopping Mall followed a similar procedure as below. Participant 1 walked along the path initially under baseline Phase 1 conditions, then under Phase 2 and finally Phase 1 again; completion the walk-pattern of 1-2-1. Participant 2 moved along the path though in the reversed manner, Phase 2, Phase 1, initially with the SP aid and then without its aid. The immediate introduction of intervention followed the exercise of familiarization with the same path using SP’s aid, with complete cycle of movement being 1-2-1-2. This data collection was done for a period of three days. 1.3. Result Analysis No differences were found were realized on either of the dependent variables regardless of the routes/path taken in the Shopping Mall by Participant 1. Considering the two cases, too much overlap in the data between phases was noted; hence, the control of the intervention over these dependent variables became vivid. The overall statistics showed that the first participant actually took a longer time in travelling the identified paths with the aid of SP than without it. To sum up the point therefore, the use of SP aid did not increase the Participant’s efficiency in travel having considered the timing system. Tentatively, no identified effect on the ultimate number of data points observed corresponded positively with the use and no use of the SP. Walking without the aid was realized as very easy and quick on regular pathways without the aid devices than with them (SPs). 2. Appendix (Literature Review) 2.1. Introduction This project on Sonic Pathfinder; which is an electronic device which emits energy waves to detect the surrounding or environment within a defined range of distance, processes reflected data/ information, and delivers substantial information in an intelligible well-presented manner to the user; is aimed at addressing the issues and challenges that are faced by the blind. Studies show that this group of people is socially discriminated because of their physic. 2.2. Statements of the problems This project is taken under the considerations that human society functions primarily through the smooth and effective exchange of goods, services and mutual companionship. Nevertheless, information and any necessary resources are made very readily available to the human eye. In this effort therefore, the current societal infrastructure and exchange network are restructured to optimize the needed freedom, functionalities, appreciations and enjoyment of sighted people-facing the blind population with exclusion from the networks. Though to varying degrees, blind people are faced with substantial challenges in accessing the world as follows: Physical world: blind people are declined to move freely and comfortably or, rather out of effective apprehension, our society has restricted the movement of these blind individuals. Social World: the aspect of social world, in this context, refers to the quality of interactions between the blind population and the social environment within which they live. The impaired ability to move around and function appropriately in the world, with substantial limitations to conformist forms of partaking education which compromises the ease and freedom of interaction between such people and the sighted society. Much laxity in the is evidenced in the need to have sound comprehensions of unique pros and cons facing this blind people in the world that is sight dominance, and the manner to put forward these factors effectively and respectfully. Symbolic world: this gives the notion of representation language and exchange of information through pictures, signs or written words. Such strategies have relied on the clemency of the sighted population, public agencies and the corporations to have the blinds’ needs. However, such efforts have been fruitless, very limited and grudging. 2.3. Factors contributed to the formulation of the use of Ultra Sonic Pathfinder Medical research institutions and the perceptual Mobility approach of World Access for the Blind to address the compromised access to the world by the blind individuals are underway. This approach will be three-fold. i. The development and use of specialized techniques and assistive technology to improve access of the blind individuals to their personal resources. ii. Improving access to the world surrounding/ environment through giving information, perspective, and specialized expertise to effectively and positively influence good development of healthy technology and strategies. iii. Mobilization of resources and attraction of public attention through raising public awareness of the issues relevant to the blind population. All these strategies were aimed at improving the ability of those with visual complications to also access the world and helping to bridge the conceptual/immense gaps in how those people with sight understand and perceive the blind. 2.4. Importance of Ultra Sonic Pathfinder over other devices Ultra Sonic Pathfinders are designed with the motive of alleviating the blind people off the depression of difficulties in travelling. It has an inbuilt circuit which is a wave ranger and works with Ultra Sonic waves. Initially, the blind people used to walk while carrying sticks with them in their hands to help them detect barriers along their path. However, these sticks had the limitations of length; hence the probing range for the blind was very limited. In solving this, technological inventions have come up with this device SP, which has a miniature detector. The ultrasonic waves will be repeatedly passed on from the ultrasonic sensor, and get received by the circuit. If a person or any barrier comes in between the sensor and receiver, the sensor informs the blind person by an alarm sound. The main advantage of this devise, therefore, is that it increases the detection efficiency and probing range as opposed to the other devices used .i.e. sticks. Other advantages are that it is easy to use as it does not involve so many complications as to its obstacle sensing and detection. 2.5. Working principles This device (Sonic pathfinder), is composed of two transmitting, and three receiving, transducers which are mounted in the headband. These transmitting transducers fill the surrounding or region in front of the traveler with ultrasonic energy; and the receiving transducers hence detect the signals that are bounced back from the objects that are within its path. All these processes are performed by a microcomputer and consequently translated into musical rhythms over speakers that are with the traveler, Farmer L and Smith D. (1998). Experimental results demonstrate that the auditory signals transmitted alert the traveler to objects within the path way corresponding to the rhythms on the musical scale equivalent to the distance in between. Far way objects are detected by high notes i.e. a range of approximately (2.70 – 3.10 m), while closer/ nearer objects are denoted with correspondingly very low tones, i.e. a distance of approximately (0.0 – 0.8 m). In summary therefore it is practical that the nearer the object to the traveler, the lower the tone gets and vice visor, Heyes A. (1995). Heyes A. (1995) further adds that even though this device is capable to detecting objects in front and on both sideways, selective correspondence to closer and central objects in the line of travel was also true. He adds that this device is only capable of informing the travel about objects that are within the vicinity and leaving aside those that are increasingly getting away from the object or those that are constant in distance. 2.6. User needs of Sonic Aid/ criticisms Having tasted the impact of SP device on the time taken to travel by two participants (Participant 1 and Participant 2) under same environments but with different settings from the ones they were used to, a number of recommendations that form their needs were noted. These needs (user needs) were felt to be capable of enhancing the effectiveness of applying this device on their routine travels. i. Cost effectiveness: Sonic Pathfinders acquisition and operational costs should be made slightly affordable since the intended users population is comprised of both the poor and the rich. Cost therefore, should not be a barrier to their use. ii. Masking of natural echo-location cues iii. Training for more complex aids. iv. Information limitation: this device is only capable of providing just a subset of the required mobility information. v. These devices (SP) are mostly designed to supplement and not to replace the long cane/ dog guide. vi. Training difficulties: complex and considerably most useful SPs require thorough trainings to conceptualize their use hence generating some application resistance. vii. Lack of performance measures: very minimal success has been achieved in demonstration that optical or electronic aids for blind and partially sighted people enhance their movements. 2.7. Project limitations that need to be addressed for effectiveness Sound-based sensing applications advisable for information gathering in this context are likely to involve proper use of both ultrasonic and audible sound waves. Audible signal transmission and reception techniques are therefore considered appropriate in an effort to enhance echo-location capabilities. As a recommendation, new techniques in wide-band frequency modulated ultrasonic spatial sensors of greater resolutions, automatic level controls, adjustable limits, and simulation of human retinal response through the provision of narrower central beam and width peripheral beams used to turn ON/OFF automatically. Considering information requirements for mobility, environmental information necessary for mobility has to be distinguished by experiment by citing a relatively more convincing starting point for the problem of information seeking and presentation. In response to his, it is recommendable that proper research has to be employed to establish all types of environmental information necessary to address the problem of information acquisition and display in the establishment of SP. For the purpose of effective usability, research on user skills should be made a prerequisite for the design, development and implementation of SPs. Such research experimentations will seek to determine specific aspects of existing user skills, determination of echo-location skills among the blind and lastly the determination of if such skill would be suitable for improvements through effective trainings. Research would be undertaken, as a recommendation, to study the relationship that exists between user skills and SP aid design and graphical user interface features. Another problem identified is on the technology for the display design and simulation. To solve this, an appropriate research measure needs to be taken to study the kinds of information transformations that would be dully useful and acceptable with minimum or no disguise by the intended user population. In summary, this extensive research on blind veterans’ SP aiding device is aimed at creating positive impact of the effective and safe movement of the blind, hence creating positive change into their lives. This study is aimed at opening ways for the blind people so that they too can be able to appropriately participate in recreational and social activities together with the sighted community. References Heyes A. (1995) Sonic pathfinder training manual. Doncaster East, Victoria, Australia: Perceptual Alternatives. Dodds A, Clark-Carter D, Howarth CI. (1984) The Sonic Pathfinder: an evaluation. J Vis Impair Blindn; 78:203-6. Del'Aune W. (1998) Research and the mobility specialist. In: Blasch B, Wiener W, Welsh R, editors. Foundations of orientation and mobility. 2nd Ed. New York: American Foundation for the Blind; p. 662-78. LaGrow S, Murray S. (1992) The alternating treatment design: A strategy for evaluating the effect of intervention in low vision rehabilitation. J Vis Impair Blindn; 86:435-9. Van Hasselt V, Hersen M. (1981) Applications of single-case designs to research with visually impaired individuals. J Vis Impair Blindn; 75:359-62. Loomis, J., Golledge, R., Klatzky, R., 1998. Navigation system for the blind: Auditory display modes and guidance. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 7(2), 193–203. Kazdin A. (1984) Statistical Analysis for single case experimental designs. In: Barlow D, Hersen M. Single case experimental designs: strategies for studying behavior change. 2nd Ed. New York: Pergamon Press; p. 285-324. Kay, L., 1964. An ultrasonic sensing probe as a mobility aid for the blind. Ultrasonics, 2, 53. Michael J. (1994) Statistical inference for individual organism research: mixed blessing or curse? McKinley J, Goldfarb E, Goodrich G. An evaluation of the Sonic Pathfinder. Paper presented at the International Mobility Conference 7, Melbourne, Australia. Armstrong J. (1972) An independent evaluation of the Kay Binaural Sensor. Internal report, Blind Mobility Research Unit, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England. Farmer L, Smith D. (1998) Adaptive technology. In: Blasch B, Wiener W, Welsh R, editors. Foundations of orientation and mobility. 2nd Ed. New York: American Foundation for the Blind; p. 231-59. Read More