A Context-Aware Artificial Intelligence-based System to Support Street Crossings For Pedestrians with Visual Impairments. Issue 1 (31st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Montanha, Aleksandro; Oprescu, Andreea M.; Romero-Ternero, MCarmen
• Is Part Of: Applied artificial intelligence. Volume 36:Issue 1(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12-31
• Subjects: Artificial intelligence -- Periodicals; 006.3
• DOI: 10.1080/08839514.2022.2062818
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-9514

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Artificial intelligence has the potential to support and improve the quality of life of people with disabilities. Mobility is a potentially dangerous activity for people with impaired ability. This article presents an assistive technology solution to assist visually impaired pedestrians in safely crossing the street. We use a signal trilateration technique and deep learning (DL) for image processing to segment visually impaired pedestrians from the rest of pedestrians. The system receives information about the presence of a potential user through WiFi signals from a mobile application installed on the user's phone. The software runs on an intelligent semaphore originally designed and installed to improve urban mobility in a smart city context. This solution can communicate with users, interpret the traffic situation, and make the necessary adjustments (with the semaphore's capabilities) to ensure a safe street crossing. The proposed system has been implemented in Maringá, Brazil, for a one-year period. Trial tests carried out with visually impaired pedestrians confirm its feasibility and practicality in a real-life environment.