Course and Program: Assistive Technologies for the Blind
Project Status: Active (Started: 2012)
Research Description
Leveraging Prof. Zhigang Zhu‘s expertise in human-computer interaction and computer vision, Prof. John (Jizhong) Xiao‘s expertise in robotic navigation, and Prof. Tony Ro‘s expertise in cognitive neuroscience particularly in perception and action, we have expanded our research focus to developing advanced human centric assistive systems to help people in need, e.g. visually impaired people, to achieve independent and quality life in familiar or unfamiliar environments. We have collaborations with the Computer Center for Visually Impaired People (CCVIP)at CUNY Baruch College, the [NYS Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH)])(http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/cb/), and the New York Institute of Special Education. Their feedback could help us to develop compact, lightweight, inexpensive devices or services to improve the quality of life of people, particular those in need .
We have developed a cross-department joint senior design course for undergraduate seniors in CS, CpE and EE as well as independent study students in Psy in developing automated and assistive technologies for smart living of all. These include: multimodal, passive and unobtrusive techniques for helping visually impaired people to achieve independent travel in unfamiliar environments; smart house systems and mobile apps for improving the quality of life; and sensing technologies for health monitoring and rehabilitation. The joint senior design program builds on our existing capstone design course structure in CS and EE departments, but with a new concentration on assistive technology for people in need.