Wall climbing support system which allows visually impaired climbers to enjoy self-reliantly

• Project/Area Number: 20700457
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: Tsukuba University of Technology
• Principal Investigator: KOBAYASHI Makoto Tsukuba University of Technology, 保健科学部, 准教授 (60291853)
• Project Period (FY): 2008 – 2010
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2010)
• Budget Amount: ¥2,210,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥510,000); Fiscal Year 2010: ¥650,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥150,000); Fiscal Year 2009: ¥650,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥150,000); Fiscal Year 2008: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000)
• Keywords: ウォールクライミング / 視覚障害者 / 障害者スポーツ / 支援システム / テンプレートマッチング / ボルダリング / 支援機器 / 超音波距離計

Research Abstract

Climbing support system for the visually impaired was developed and tested. The system allows them to enjoy climbing without guiding by sighted supporters using voice. It detects the position of the marker using template matching method. The marker is painted as double circle and placed on the back of the climber's neck. The system gives artificial voice guide through wireless speaker or headphones. The guide is depends on the climber position and explains where the next and after the next holds are.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] A Basic Inspection of Wall-Climbing Support System for the Visually Challenged、Computers Helping People with Special Needs (2010)
  • Author(s): Makoto Kobayashi
  • Journal Title: Springer 2 Pages: 332-337
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] A Basic Inspection of Wall-Climbing Support System for the Visually Challenged (2010)
  • Author(s): Makoto Kobayashi
  • Journal Title: Computers Helping People with Special Needs Volume: 2 Pages: 332-337
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Presentation] 視覚障害者のフリークライミング支援方法についての基礎的検討 (2009)
  • Author(s): 小林真
  • Organizer: 第58回ヒューマンインタフェース学会研究会
  • Place of Presentation: 産総研臨海副都心センター別館
  • Year and Date: 2009-12-09
• [Presentation] 視覚障害者のフリークライミング支援方法についての基礎的検討 (2009)
  • Author(s): 小林真
  • Organizer: 第58回ヒューマンインタフェース学会研究会
  • Place of Presentation: 産総研臨海副都心センター
  • Year and Date: 2009-12-09
• [Remarks] ホームページ等
  • URL: http://www.cs.k.tsukuba-tech.ac.jp/labo/koba/research/