Electronic Cane Usability for Visually Impaired People

Abstract

Although white canes have been one of the most common mobility aids for people with visual impairments, it is ability to enable users detect detection is limited, thereby leaving the users vulnerable to falls and collisions. To overcome this limitation, many electronic mobility aids have been introduced, but these aids have not yet been successful. To identify manners of improving the usability of an electronic cane, qualitative research was conducted to evaluate the usability issues of electronic canes. A pilot study consisting of three participants with visual impairments and two instructors with sight was carried out wherein the participants used a prototype electronic cane. Then, in-depth interviews of 14 participants with visual impairments were carried out. The results of both the pilot study and in-depth interviews indicated that participants were eager to own their electronic aids, but they were not completely satisfied with the current electronic cane owing to the problems faced during its use. Further, we found that previous experiences of using electronic aids had a significant effect on the perception of the users toward the electronic cane. On the basis of the findings of the qualitative evaluations, further research attempts to redesign the electronic cane prototype and establish design guidelines for electronic cane will be made.