A 2D Vibration Array as an Assistive Device for Visually Impaired

This paper deals with the design, simulation and implementation of a 2D vibration array used as a major component of an assistive wearable navigation device for visual impaired. The 2D vibration array consists of 16 (4x4) miniature vibrators connected to a portable computer, which is the main computing component of the entire wearable navigation system, called Tyflos. Tyflos consists of two miniature cameras (attached to a pair of dark glasses), a microphone, an ear speaker, the 2D vibration array, and a portable computer. The cameras capture images from the surrounding environment and after appropriate processing 3D representations are created. These 3D space representations are projected on the 2D array, which vibrates in various levels corresponding to the distances of the surrounding obstacles. The 2D array is attached to the user's chest in order to provide the appropriate sensation (via vibrations) of the distances from the surroundings.