结论:这项研究显示了一种振动触觉感觉替代装置(SSD)原型,VibroSight,有可能改善功能结果(即,避障,面部检测)适用于视力丧失严重的人,即使有短暂的熟悉(<20分钟)。
目的:对于大多数视力丧失的人来说,诸如长杖之类的移动辅助设备仍然是主要的支持手段,但它们确实有局限性。诸如SSD之类的新兴技术在低视力社区中获得了广泛的兴趣。该项目的目的是评估原型振动触觉SSD在面部检测和避障任务中对视力严重丧失的人的功效。
方法:在运动实验室环境中对VibroSight装置进行了测试。第一项任务涉及避障,参与者被要求走过障碍赛道。第二个是面部检测任务,参与者被要求走向他们检测到的第一张脸。还进行了出口访谈以收集用户体验数据。视力低下的人(n=7)和定向和移动教练(n=4)都完成了任务。
结果:在避障任务中,参与者能够使用该设备来检测(p<0.001)并避免(p<0.001)明显更大范围内的障碍物,但速度较慢(p<0.001),与没有设备的情况相比。在人脸检测任务中,参与者表现出了很高的准确性,精度,使用该设备时的灵敏度。采访显示了积极的用户体验,尽管参与者认为他们需要更轻,更紧凑的设计才能在现实世界中使用。
结论:总体而言,结果验证了振动触觉SSD原型的功能。需要进一步的研究,以评估扩展培训计划后的用户表现,并添加新功能,如物体识别软件算法,进入设备。
CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown a vibrotactile sensory substitution device (SSD) prototype, VibroSight, has the potential to improve functional outcomes (i.e., obstacle avoidance, face detection) for people with profound vision loss, even with brief familiarization (<20 minutes).
OBJECTIVE: Mobility aids such as long canes are still the mainstay of support for most people with vision loss, but they do have limitations. Emerging technologies such as SSDs are gaining widespread interest in the low vision community. The aim of this project was to assess the efficacy of a prototype vibrotactile SSD for people with profound vision loss in the face detection and obstacle avoidance tasks.
METHODS: The VibroSight device was tested in a movement laboratory setting. The first task involved obstacle avoidance, in which participants were asked to walk through an obstacle course. The second was a face detection task, in which participants were asked to step toward the first face they detected. Exit interviews were also conducted to gather user experience data. Both people with low vision (n = 7) and orientation and mobility instructors (n = 4) completed the tasks.
RESULTS: In obstacle avoidance task, participants were able to use the device to detect (p<0.001) and avoid (p<0.001) the obstacles within a significantly larger range, but were slower (p<0.001), when compared with without the device. In face detection task, participants demonstrated a great level of accuracy, precision, and sensitivity when using the device. Interviews revealed a positive user experience, although participants identified that they would require a lighter and compact design for real-world use.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results verified the functionality of vibrotactile SSD prototype. Further research is warranted to evaluate the user performance after an extended training program and to add new features, such as object recognition software algorithms, into the device.