DESENVOLVIMENTO DE TECNOLOGIA ASSISTIVA INTELIGENTE, UTILIZANDO TRAJETÓRIAS SEMÂNTICAS, PARA AUXILIAR PESSOAS COM DEFICIÊNCIA VISUAL NOS AMBIENTES DA UNIVERSIDADE

Abstract

Visually impaired persons (VIP) face daily challenges that can be minimized through the use of assistive technology (AT). A significant challenge for them is safe mobility in unfamiliar environments, a situation that can be mitigated through the use of smart assistive technology (SAT). The research aimed to develop an SAT, in the form of an application, with the purpose of assisting VIP in navigating unfamiliar environments. The research is of a qualitative-quantitative, descriptive, and evaluative nature, conducted through a case study carried out at the university campus of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS-CG) and involved the participation of VIP. The research was divided into four stages: preparation and planning, requirements gathering, development, and evaluation of the SAT. The development included the creation of an application, covering tasks such as modeling, implementation, and software testing. In the evaluation stage, volunteers visited UFMS-CG and used the SAT to assist them in reaching specific destinations. The identified requirements were divided into four categories: the barriers and items promoting accessibility, essential information for executing a route, reference elements for location, and preferences in assisted navigation applications. Multisensory elements were highlighted as essential, their relevance varying according to the individual's visual acuity and experience in orientation and mobility. These requirements served as a basis for the development of the SAT, which provides the most accessible route for the individual to reach their desired destination. During the route execution, the user receives guidance on the directions to follow and information about encountering accessibility items along the way. In the evaluation stage, the application demonstrated its ability to provide guidance for VIP to seek their destination independently. However, the evaluation was limited to a specific area of UFMS-CG, and its applicability in other environments should be evaluated beforehand. Additionally, the generated routes used roadway lanes as a reference, overlooking important pedestrian elements such as indoor corridors and crosswalks. Despite the limitations, the application meets the criteria of an SAT, dynamically adapting to individuals' needs and environmental conditions. It has the potential to contribute to promoting the autonomy of VIP, providing guidance to reach a destination and notifying about identified accessibility items, offering them independence, safety, and inclusion. The research emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in creating AT.