The Development of a Magic Cane for Mobility of the Blind in a Swampy Terrain Using Digitalised Visual Sensors

Abstract

Most visually impaired people greatly rely on a cane for Orientation and Mobility (OM). Canes so far in use may not effectively accommodate the needs of blind people, in particular, for navigation in water body dominated terrains like swamps and river basins. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a cane with audio signals to help orient the mobility of the blind in swampy areas. The method used is the R & D (Research and Development) ADDIE instructional systems design framework, which consists of five stages namely, Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. Research subjects composed of visually impaired people in The Barito River basin, of South Kalimantan in Indonesia. The data was collected by using action tests, questionnaires, and documentation. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics to determine the effectiveness and practicality of developing the magic cane. The novelty of this study is producing a product dubbed the 'magic cane', which is equipped with audio features that can identify obstacles around the user such as potholes, puddles, and fire/heat. The trial results showed that the magic cane's effectiveness reached 82% with very effective criteria, but from a practical point of view it was only around 60%, by practical criteria. Thus, it can be concluded that the development of the magic cane can be a vital mobility accessory for blind people in moving on terrain with water patches and swampy environments.