Project Activities
People and institutions involved
IES program contact(s)
Products and publications
Product: The product is a smart walking cane and belt for children who are blind or visually impaired with an accompanying mobile app. The smart belt's sensor collects data as children practice walking and transmit these data to the app. A machine learning algorithm provides just-in-time feedback to children with audio prompts for supporting walking through the app. The app will also present data to early intervention practitioners and caregivers to track child progress and recommend lesson plans. The project will result in training curricular materials for practitioners and parents to support children and use data to inform instruction.
Project website:
Supplemental information
Video Demonstration of the Phase I Prototype: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKI__nPQOr8
In the Phase II project, the team will fully develop the product, including a machine learning algorithm to generate real-time prompts that will guide children as they walk. The research team will also improve the accuracy of the data that is provided to caregivers and practitioners through the mobile app, optimize the smart belt for commercial use, complete the instructional components, and finalize professional development and training materials. The team will iteratively refine the product with feedback from practitioners, parents, and children at major production milestones until the product is fully functional. After development concludes, researchers will carry out a pilot study to assess the feasibility and usability, fidelity of implementation, and promise of the product to support children in learning to walk. The team will collect data from 100 children who are blind or visually impaired, as well as one caregiver and one practitioner for each child, over a 4-week period. Researchers will gather cost information using the ingredients method to capture all relevant expenditures, including the costs for personnel, facilities, equipment, materials, and training.
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To answer additional questions about this project or provide feedback, please contact the program officer.
