The Impact of Low Vision Assistive Technology on Mobility in People with Vision Impairment

The Impact of Low Vision Assistive Technology on Mobility in People with Vision Impairment

Chief Investigator: Dr Lauren Ayton

Impaired mobility is one of the most significant challenges that affects people with vision loss and blindness. Low-tech mobility aids such as long canes and guide dogs are still the mainstay of support, but newer technologies such as visual-to-audio substitution, tactile wearables and ‘augmented-reality’ smart glasses are gaining wide-spread interest in the community.

In collaboration with the Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne (A/Prof Jennifer McGinley, A/Prof Adam Bryant, Dr Wen Wu), the Bionics Institute (Dr Matt Petoe), Swinburne University (Dr Chris McCarthy) and Queensland University of Technology (Prof Sharon Bentley), our multidisciplinary team are developing methods for assessing assistive devices for people with low vision. This includes the use of the world-class Dept. Physiotherapy Mobility and Gait Laboratory, which enables highly sensitive biomotion tracking.

Research outcomes

The remote investigations (collaboration with VA, and online survey) will lead to two scientific publications. The study protocol we have designed has also led to industry engagement, with a startup company approaching us to trial their sensory substitution device (Vibrosight – a tactile vest that is worn by individuals to provide localisation data for safe mobility). This has led to a commercial agreement, which will fund a PhD student (Rui Jin) for 2022.

You can read more about the project here: https://healthsciences.unimelb.edu.au/research-groups/optometry-and-vision-sciences-research/vision-optimisation-unit/the-impact-of-low-vision-assistive-technology-on-mobility-in-people-with-vision-impairment