GPS and IMU (inertial measurement unit) as a navigation system for the visually impaired in cities

Purpose - The aim of this work is to improve navigation solutions for the visually impaired, specifically problems with the heading given by the current GPS antennas. This heading is not reliable when the speed of the pedestrian or of the car is less than 10 km h. The solution proposed is the use of one inertial measurement unit (IMU) coupled to a GPS, giving the navigation information in the way of heading and distance to the final destination.Design methodology approach - The authors have developed their system using their IMU (compass, gyroscope and accelerometer) developed in the laboratory. They have also developed the user interface in one Smart Phone in the Android operating system coupled to the IMU using the Bluetooth transmission. Furthermore, the authors have tested their system in bad GPS reception conditions in Paris. They also used two other GPS systems (Navigon and Ariadne GPS) for testing the best way of giving the information: either "car navigation information: turn left or right at 100 meters ... " or "heading and distance to the final destination: destination at 2 o'clock, 150 meters".Findings - The main finding is that we can have a better way of navigation (for the visually impaired in pedestrian navigation) using one IMU, coupled to a compass and a GPS antenna in cities even in the case of hesitation of the user, using the information of "heading and distance to the final destination".Originality value - This paper demonstrates how GPS coupled to an IMU can give a better way of navigating for the visually impaired; in especial using the information about heading and distance to the final destination.