Blind Assistance Toolkit for Android using RFID Based Navigation

Radio Frequency Identification Tags or RFID tags is a relatively mature technology and its application has been ubiquitous due to planned implementation. RFID tags can be active or passive depending on their data processing and transmission capability. They interact with an RFID reader which relays the information to and from the processing device usually a computer. This technology can come to the aid of the visually disabled by aiding their navigation. The visually disabled face a stigma when it comes to using technology as the user interface lacks the ease of use and interaction features it should ideally possess. The existing applications aiding the visually disabled heavily rely on text to speech features which aren’t always effective in every scenario. RFID based navigation can be achieved by tagging objects using passive RFID tags and a reader fixed on the cane of the user. Other vital features like calling and messaging can be enhanced using gesture recognition. In case of an emergency the location of the user can be tracked using GPS. The advantages of using the toolkit involve lower cost, effective navigation and enhanced user experience.