Project: A reliable navigation service to guide visually impaired and blind people safely.

OBJECTIVE _x000D_AngelVision will put into place a safe and reliable pedestrian navigation service for blind & visually impaired persons. This population requires an accurate and comfortable navigation experience, which is why the users will have voice and video access whenever they need it (if they become lost or disoriented) to an operator at a remote service platform that sees what they see and knows exactly where they are located._x000D_ _x000D_BACKGROUND_x000D_Blind and visually impaired persons need a reliable and safe method to guide them through urban areas that they may or not be familiar with. Several federations for the blind have been contacted in Finland and France and the situation currently is that the these people are not able to plan in advance or navigate completely unfamiliar routes. However this will change with the AngelVision project. _x000D__x000D_Angelvision’s mission is to make you feel confident so you can enjoy your trips again, whether by walking (in the city or in the countryside) or by public transport (timetables are included in the user information). AngelVision will allow you to gain autonomy as you do not depend on people to show you the way any longer, to explore unknown territories, to get help when you need it and to share information with other users in the community. _x000D__x000D_GOAL - ANGELVISION_x000D_This application is for project called "AngelVision". The goal is to provide a product giving visually impaired and blind people confidence in their ability to autonomously navigate through urban areas along pre-planned or pre-recorded routes. In case of difficulties, the user is able to take a 10s video clip of their surroundings that is automatically and immediately send to a help service platform, along with the position and heading of the user. An operator at the service platform is then able to talk with the user over GSM and reassure and reorient them to get them back on the right route. _x000D__x000D_The two CO Ps, Navocap in France and Alkit in Sweden will invest and work together on this project, Navocap on the navigation solution and Alkit and the video processing, transmission and service platform software. _x000D__x000D_The user will carry a small terminal on the belt that houses the GNSS receiver, motion sensors (gyroscopes and accelerometers) and microprocessor. A cable links the terminal to a communicator module that is attached to a lapel, enabling the user to give vocal commands and hear navigation instructions in an earpiece. The communicator also houses the GNSS/GPRS antenna, video camera and ambient microphone. _x000D_If the blind or visually impaired user becomes lost or disoriented, they can send a 10s video clip, including the recording of ambient sound together with position and heading information a service platform. An operator will visualise the clip and enter into a GSM voice call with the user to get them back on the right track. _x000D__x000D_Navocap has developed a prototype system has been developed that has HW (that will be changed for a more powerful processor) and SW (the GNSS and MEMS hybrid navigation algorithms in prototype version). This system is limited since it does not provide a fully reliable user experience._x000D__x000D_PROJECT_x000D_Navocap has chosen the Swedish company Alkit as a P to develop a video interface with a remote service platform. The Alkit solution will enable users to send ambient sound recordings, a 10s video clip and the user position and heading to an operator to provide reliable and safe orientation and guidance instructions over a GSM voice link. _x000D__x000D_TECHNICAL AND MARKET APPLICATIONS_x000D_Such a product has several technical and market applications._x000D_Market today:_x000D_- The AngelVision application will be developed as a navigator for blind & visually impaired persons. The number of potential users in Europe is 1.4 million. However this is the total number of blind or visually impaired, so an estimate is made of what percentage would be willing to use the device in each particular country. For the French market, the cumulated number of sales over the first five years is a conservative 7653 units. This will give 6,9 M€ in revenue in year 5 (2019) and a profit of 0,5 M€. _x000D__x000D_The personal equipment carried by the user is based on Linux, an open OS which means that it can be customised easily for new technical and market applications. This is the opposite of smartphone or PND solutions that do not allow the developer full access to the OS to create innovative applications. _x000D__x000D_Possible future applications:_x000D_- Healthcare solution for dependent persons_x000D_- Healthcare solution for ageing persons living at home under remote care_x000D__x000D_The current prototype products have a 2 year advance over the competition and AngelVision will extend and enhance the products to ensure that the product finds its marketplace. _x000D__x000D_The project coordinator is Navocap in France and the other P is Alkit in Sweden. Real world trials to be ready for service deployment are planned in France at the end of the project. _x000D__x000D_

Acronym	AngelVision (Reference Number: 7808)
Duration	01/06/2013 - 31/08/2015
Project Topic	The AngelVision project will develop a safe and reliable pedestrian navigation service for blind & visually impaired persons. AngelVision pushes innovation further by providing voice and video access to a remote service platform operator who gives guidance assistance to users whenever needed.
Project Results (after finalisation)	A navigation aid has been designed, developed and tested by blind and visually impaired users. The user carries a smartphone and device on the belt to provide step-by-step pedestrian guidance in unfamiliar areas. The device has been tested and works well in villages, small towns and dense urban areas. The user trials enabled the experience to be fed back into the product to make it more safe for the user. Extra functions were added, such as automatic route re-calculation if one gets lost. AngelVision has a unique feature if a user becomes disoriented in an unfamiliar environment. They can make a video call to a service platform that will see where the user is via the smartphone camera - the platform operator will be the "eyes" of the user. In this way, via a real-time video and a voice communication, the user is comforted and led back onto the correct route. Such a feature is a strong selling point for a guidance application. _x000D_
Network	Eurostars
Call	Eurostars Cut-Off 9

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
2	Alkit Communications ab (SE)	Partner	Sweden
2	Navocap	Coordinator	France