GuideTouch: An Obstacle Avoidance Device with Tactile Feedback for Visually Impaired

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2601.13813v2
• Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:36:57 GMT
• Title: GuideTouch: An Obstacle Avoidance Device with Tactile Feedback for Visually Impaired
• Abstract summary: GuideTouch is a wearable device designed for autonomous obstacle avoidance.<n>System integrates two vertically aligned Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors, enabling three-dimensional environmental perception.<n>Four vibrotactile actuators that provide directional haptic feedback.
• Score: 2.061143628317803
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
• Abstract: Safe navigation for the visually impaired individuals remains a critical challenge, especially concerning head-level obstacles, which traditional mobility aids often fail to detect. We introduce GuideTouch, a compact, affordable, standalone wearable device designed for autonomous obstacle avoidance. The system integrates two vertically aligned Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors, enabling three-dimensional environmental perception, and four vibrotactile actuators that provide directional haptic feedback. Proximity and direction information is communicated via an intuitive 4-point vibrotactile feedback system located across the user's shoulders and upper chest. For real-world robustness, the device includes a unique centrifugal self-cleaning optical cover mechanism and a sound alarm system for location if the device is dropped. We evaluated the haptic perception accuracy across 22 participants (17 male and 5 female, aged 21-48, mean 25.7, sd 6.1). Statistical analysis confirmed a significant difference between the perception accuracy of different patterns. The system demonstrated high recognition accuracy, achieving an average of 92.9% for single and double motor (primary directional) patterns. Furthermore, preliminary experiments with 14 visually impaired users validated this interface, showing a recognition accuracy of 93.75% for primary directional cues. The results demonstrate that GuideTouch enables intuitive spatial perception and could significantly improve the safety, confidence, and autonomy of users with visual impairments during independent navigation.

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