EchoMap

EchoMap helps visually impaired individuals navigate safely using AI-powered sound mapping and real-time audio-haptic guidance for independent mobility.

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About the Project

Inspiration:
Navigating crowded streets and unfamiliar spaces is a daily challenge for millions of visually impaired people worldwide. Traditional tools like white canes or guide dogs help, but they cannot detect overhead obstacles, moving objects, or provide real-time spatial awareness. Inspired by this gap, we conceptualized EchoMap, an app-based solution that uses AI and audio-haptic feedback to help users “map” their surroundings in real-time.

What We Learned:
During research, we explored the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals in both urban and rural settings. We learned that combining multiple sensors, real-time audio feedback, and intelligent routing can dramatically improve confidence and independence. We also discovered the potential of wearable-connected apps to reduce accidents and make navigation intuitive.

How We Built the Concept:

  • The app integrates with sensors on a smartphone or optional wearable devices.
  • AI models process spatial data from smartphone cameras or connected devices to detect obstacles and open pathways.
  • Real-time audio and haptic cues guide the user safely through their environment.
  • Optional GPS and mapping integration allow for indoor and outdoor navigation.

Challenges We Anticipated:

  • Ensuring real-time processing with low latency to prevent collisions.
  • Designing intuitive audio and vibration feedback without overwhelming the user.
  • Providing accurate obstacle detection in varied lighting and crowded conditions.
  • Making the system affordable and accessible to users in low-resource regions.

Future Developments:

  • Integrating LiDAR-enabled smartphones for better 3D mapping.
  • Using AI to classify obstacles and dynamically prioritize warnings.
  • Offline navigation support for areas with poor connectivity.
  • Expansion into public transport and indoor navigation solutions for malls, airports, and hospitals.

References & Research:

  1. World Health Organization. Blindness and Vision Impairment. 2023.
  2. Shen et al., Wearable Devices for Navigation of the Visually Impaired, Sensors Journal, 2022.
  3. Indian National Blindness Statistics, 2021.

Built With

  • accelerometer
  • firebase-(cloud-storage)
  • google-maps
  • gyroscope)
  • opencv-(vision)
  • python-(ai-&-processing)
  • smartphone-sensors-(camera
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