G. Whitney

Joint Mobility Unit,
Royal National Institute for the Blind,
224 Great Portland Street,
London W1N 6AA,
tel +44 171 391 2002
fax +44 171 387 7109
e-mail GWhitney@mib.org.uk
United Kingdom

Ever since the early 1960's inventors have tried to use electronic technology to assist blind and partially sighted people to travel and move successfully. In spite of all the research very few blind and partially sighted people have benefited from these devices and very few are commercially available This paper aims to look at why they have been of such little benefit and how they might assist users in the future.

Electronic orientation aids have been designed to give information which can be follow so that they can find their destination.

Electronic mobility aids have been designed to either supplement or replace the users primary mobility aid - long cane or guide dog. They work by warning the user of obstacles and holes in the ground. The devices generally operate by sending out beams of ultrasound or infra-red light. If the beam hits an object it will be reflected back to the device and the presence of the object signalled to the user.

As the number of elderly people in the United Kingdom increases and therefore the number of blind and partially sighted people increases, it is assumed that the range of mobility and orientation needs will increase and the use of these devices will become more widespread.