( This system uses combination of robotic...)SWAN system for navigation,Health

This system uses combination of robotic technology and auditory signals.//

Finding your way around a city you have never been to before will be quite tough. Then you can imagine how difficult it will be for visually impaired people. System for Wearable Audio Navigation (SWAN) is designed to help the visually impaired, firefighters, soldiers and others find their way in unknown territory, particularly when vision is blocked or impaired. This system is being designed by the Georgia Tech researchers. The SWAN system comprises a small laptop, a proprietary tracking chip and bone-conduction headphones. It imparts audio signal to guide the person from place to place, with or without vision.

"We are excited by the possibilities for people who are blind and visually impaired to use the SWAN auditory wayfinding system," said Susan B. Green, executive director, Center for the Visually Impaired in Atlanta. "Consumer involvement is crucial in the design and evaluation of successful assistive technology, so CVI is happy to collaborate with Georgia Tech to provide volunteers who are blind and visually impaired for focus groups, interviews and evaluation of the system."

Collaboration
In an unusual collaboration, Frank Dellaert, assistant professor in the Georgia Tech College of Computing and Bruce Walker, assistant professor in Georgia Tech's School of Psychology and College of Computing, met five years ago at new faculty orientation and discussed how their respective areas of expertise -- determining location of robots and audio interfaces -- were complimentary and could be married in a project to assist the blind. The project progressed slowly as the researchers worked on it as time allowed and sought funding. Early support came through a seed grant from the Graphics, Visualization and Usability (GVU) Center at Georgia Tech, and recently Walker and Dellaert received a $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to further develop SWAN.
'"/>




Page: 1 2 3 4
Related medicine news :

1. Passive smoking affects respiratory system
2. Anthrax hammers immune system
3. WHO says damage to eco systems are affecting human health
4. Human immunity system can battle HIV.
5. New clues about immune system from leprosy microbes
6. Teaching the immune system to fight diseases is the key to reducing childhood infections
7. Wrinkle reduction cream has offered insights into working of nervous system
8. Online information system for patients
9. WHO checks on health system in quake-hit areas
10. Health Problems Due To Ecosystems Degradation
11. Health care system “Consumer friendly” by 207