Award Abstract #0529435
SST: Exploring the World with a Ray of Light: An Environmental Sensor for the Blind

NSF Org:	CBET Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems
Initial Amendment Date:	September 9, 2005
Latest Amendment Date:	September 9, 2005
Award Number:	0529435
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Leon Esterowitz CBET Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems ENG Directorate for Engineering
Start Date:	September 1, 2005
Expires:	August 31, 2010 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$526,191.00
Investigator(s):	Roberto Manduchi manduchi@soe.ucsc.edu (Principal Investigator) Gabriel Elkaim (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	University of California-Santa Cruz 1156 High Street SANTA CRUZ, CA 95064-1077 (831)459-5278
NSF Program(s):	BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
Program Reference Code(s):	0000, 7296, OTHR, 7224
Program Element Code(s):	5345

ABSTRACT

0529435

Manduchi

This proposal is focused on developing an economical and miniaturized range sensor to serve as a device to aid mobility of the visually impaired. The sensors will be capable of acquiring accurate measurements at a high rate to enable the real-time analysis of range data. The device will focus on detecting gradient-based features of interest such as stairs, curbs, etc., and the results will be transmitted to the individual in an acoustic or haptic manner. The device will be tested and assessed by actual disabled individuals to provide targeted feedback. The PI will also utilize the undergraduate design course that incorporates the concepts in instrumentation involved in the proposed work. The research will allow students to come away with an appreciation for the abilities and skills needed to navigate without the benefit of sight.

BOOKS/ONE TIME PROCEEDING

David Ilstrup. "Compact laser triangulation system
design and implementation", 09/01/2009-08/31/2010,  2009, "Master's Thesis".

Dan Yuan. "Environmental Exploration via Computer
Vision Techniques", 09/01/2009-08/31/2010,  2007, "Ph.D. Thesis".

Ilstrup, D., Manduchi R. "Active Triangulation in the Outdoors: A
Photometric Analysis", 09/01/2009-08/31/2010,  2010, "Proceedings of the 5th International
Symposium on 3D Data Processing,
Visualization, and Transmission.".

Ilstrup, D., Manduchi R. "Return detection for outdoor active
triangulation", 09/01/2009-08/31/2010,  2010, "Proc. SPIE 3D Image Processing (3DIP)
and Applications".

Jameson, B., Manduchi R. 2010. "Watch Your Head: A Wearable Collision
Warning Sensor System for the Blind", 09/01/2009-08/31/2010,  2010, "Proc. IEEE Sensors 2010 Conference".

Ilstrup, D. , Manduchi R.. "One-Shot Optimal Exposure Control", 09/01/2009-08/31/2010,  2010, "Proc. European Conference on Computer
Vision (ECCV 2010)".

Jameson, B., Manduchi R.. "Estimation and Detection in the Presence
of Ringing Noise", 09/01/2009-08/31/20