An intelligent traveling companion for visually impaired pedestrian

Abstract

A navigation system that will guide the blind and the visually impaired pedestrian with ease. The system will adapt to the user's behavior and will also provide the user with shortest path from the source to the user's chosen destination in the building. RFID technology is used to track the user's current location. The user carries his own PDA with the application installed in it and a RFID reader with him. RFID tags are deployed in the building. On detection of the RFID tag by the RFID reader as the reader comes in vicinity of the tag, the reader sends the tag information to the PDA using Bluetooth Technology. The PDA based user device provides the user navigation instructions in an audio form and the user can also select the preferences provides by giving input in form of speech. The system will be a blend of Optimal Routing and Users Preference. The PDA consist of the ACO algorithm that will help in the optimization of A* algorithm which will work as the prediction algorithm.