Spontaneous Routing and Navigation System for Wheelchair Users

Abstract

Wheelchair users often need special navigation support. However, current navigation applications, e.g. Google Map, are not useful for wheelchair users, as they cannot help them to avoid obstacles such as stairs, rough surface and inclines. Nowadays, wheelchair users encounter many uncertainties, especially in places where they have never been to before. Such difficulty discourages them from travelling to unfamiliar places. This project proposes a mobile routing application, MyWheelMap, of wheelchair navigation with Augmented Reality (AR) view that provides tailored navigational support to wheelchair users so as to allow more mobility and autonomy in daily life. The application can suggest a barrier-free route from user's current location to the input destination, and such route will be shown on map. The routing method takes user's personalized setting and various obstacles into account, such as surface conditions, inclines, and road width, to satisfy each individual wheelchair user's needs. The application also provides AR view to show the location of destination instantly. Therefore, it can safely, accurately, clearly and efficiently guide users to their destinations. Moreover, toilets are the most demanded facilities in the outdoor area. This application can also show the location of wheelchair-accessible toilets nearby, allowing wheelchair users to find the nearest toilet easily.