Sensor Fusion for Non-Intrusive Adaptive Distancing of Visually Impaired Users

There are over 300 million severely visually impaired people worldwide, and in their constant struggle for independence, there is a pressing need for advanced Electronic Travel Aid (ETA) products. The FireFly wearable ETA device presented here enhances mobility and safety for visually impaired individuals. The design fuses an 8×8 pixel Grid-EYE thermal imaging sensor to differentiate different objects based on their thermal signatures and a Time-of-Flight (ToF) LiDAR sensor for detecting distances. FireFly provides real-time feedback through acoustic, vibration, and light alerts, which vary in frequencies and amplitudes depending on the proximity and type of detected object. Its open architecture allows for easy integration into various wearable devices, ensuring application versatility. Experimental validation quantified the system's ability for object detection and human identification. Future improvements will focus on increasing system speed and thermal sensitivity and implementing machine learning algorithms for better object classification. FireFly aims to offer a reliable, low-power solution that promotes independence and safety for visually impaired individuals.