Article

Nonambulatory, visually impaired individuals mostly rely on caregivers for their
day-to-day mobility needs. The Drive-Safe System (DSS) is a modular,
semiautonomous smart wheelchair system aimed at providing independent mobility to
people with visual and mobility impairments. In this project, clinical evaluation
of the DSS was performed in a controlled laboratory setting with individuals who
have visual impairment but no mobility impairment. Their performance using DSS
was compared with their performance using a standard cane for navigation
assistance. Participants rated their subjective appraisal of the DSS by using the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index inventory. DSS
significantly reduced the number and severity of collisions compared with using a
cane alone and without increasing the time required to complete the task. Users
rated DSS favorably; they experienced less physical demand when using the DSS,
but did not feel any difference in perceived effort, mental demand, and level of
frustration when using the DSS alone or along with a cane in comparison with
using a cane alone. These findings suggest that the DSS can be a safe, reliable,
and easy-to-learn and operate independent mobility solution for visually impaired
wheelchair users.

Langue : ANGLAIS