Development of and Empirical Research on a Walking Support System for the Visually Disabled Persons Using a Cutting-edge Technology

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K02269
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 08020:Social welfare-related
• Research Institution: Hachinohe Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Abe Nobuyuki 八戸工業大学, 大学院工学研究科, 准教授 (30433478)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 視覚障害者 / 歩行支援 / 歩行訓練 / 歩行事故 / バリアフリー / ユニバーサルデザイン / VR

Outline of Final Research Achievements

I analyzed the nationwide accident trends of everyday walking accidents involving visually disabled persons. I found that 30% of the people involved in the analysis have experienced walking accidents for the past five years. Although it is possible to realize a drone-based guidance system, such a system would be difficult to put into effect due to aviation laws, etc. Although there are issues in our society regarding VR walking training systems and educational VR, I found that there is value in developing them. Based on the above, I will propose a Walking Training Support Coordinator (hereafter, WTSC) should serve, as a soft role, connect, and visually disabled persons with ophthalmologists, welfare organizations, and government agencies, and provide information and advice on walking training. The establishment of WTSC is expected to reduce walking accidents.

Free Research Field

環境バリアフリー

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、視覚障害者の歩行中の事故に関する調査結果より、事故経験率が高いことが明らかとなった。視覚障害者による歩行中の事故の傾向と対策を通して、歩行空間のバリアフリー、ユニバーサルデザインに繋がるものであり、学術的意義や社会的意義がある。また、それらを踏まえた歩行訓練の手法について、歩行訓練をいつでも、どこでも実施できるという視点から、訓練の促進に繋がり、歩行事故防止としての効果も期待できる。更に、歩行訓練のデジタルトランスフォーメーション（DX)化によって、人出不足の解消にも繋がる。