Researchers leveraging autonomous vehicle technology for wearable obstacle detection

As part of a project from Leti—a technology research institute of CEA Tech—a multi-organization team will develop a wearable, multi-sensor device that leverages the technologies used in autonomous vehicles for low-power, spatial exploration and obstacle detection.

Funded through the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, the project—called the INSPEX system—will adapt obstacle detection capabilities that are common in autonomous vehicles for a device that will aid the visually impaired and blind. INSPEX will also be able to be deployed into robotics, drones, smart manufacturing applications, according to Leti. It will be used for real-time, 3D detection, location and warning of obstacles under all environmental conditions, including smoke, dust, fog, snow, darkness, and more.

Sensors utilized within the INSPEX system will reportedly include LIDAR, ultra-wideband radar, and MEMS ultrasound. INSPEX aims to miniaturize and reduce the power consumption of these sensors, and will integrate them with an inertial measurement unit, environmental sensing, wireless communications, signal-and-data processing, power-efficient data fusion and user interface, all in a compact form factor designed to operate within smart and Internet of Things environments. In its first iteration, the INSPEX system will be embedded in a cane for the visually impaired, and provide 3D spatial audio feedback on obstacle location via headphones. These communications, according to Leti, will integrate the user with wider smart environments, such as smart traffic lights, navigation beacons, and ID tags associated with Internet of Things objects.

"Sophisticated obstacle-detection systems such as those in autonomous vehicles are typically large and heavy, have high power consumption and require large computational capabilities," said Suzanne Lesecq, project coordinator at Leti. "The INSPEX team will work together to miniaturize and adapt this technology for individual and personal applications, which will require even greater capability for all-conditions obstacle detection. The project is a strong example of European innovation to bring leading-edge technology to a broader segment of users."

In addition to the aforementioned applications, Leti says that INSPEX could be used in human mobility (first responders, disabled persons), instrumentation (distance measuring tools), and smart homes and factories (assembly machines, security and surveillance systems.)

INSPEX system partners include the University of Manchester, Cork Institute of Technology, STMicroelectronics SRL, Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology CSEM, Tyndall National Institute University College Cork, University of Namur ASBL, GoSense, and SensL Technologies Ltd.

View more information on Leti.

Share your vision-related news by contacting James Carroll, Senior Web Editor, Vision Systems Design

To receive news like this in your inbox, click here.

Join our LinkedIn group | Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter

Learn more: search the Vision Systems Design Buyer's Guide for companies, new products, press releases, and videos