Background of Towards the implementation of the first Arabic wayfinding and accessible indoor navigation solution for people with visual impairments in Qatar

The indoor navigation system is a growing system with a number of increasing tools such as monitoring ,modeling, and navigational complexes. David Stea stated in 1974 ,”the idea of constructing a building is as important as the building itself.”The same is the case with an appropriate navigation device.

As demonstrated in Figure 1, there are environmental indications, problems with infrastructure, and user preferences that must be considered when developing user-friendly indoor navigation systems. This section revolves around the user-centered context of the harmony, examining the capabilities, preferences and crossing point problems. A possible modeling method that can be used is the spatial syntax modeling technique.

Figure 1. Classification of contextual dimensions for indoor navigation. Reprinted under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License from Afyouni, Ray, and Claramunt (2014).

By the end, we can see the transition between indoor spaces and outdoor spaces as per the analysis of (Kray et al.,2013). For instance, the passageways ,central stations, and plazas were considered indoor spaces by some individuals, whereas the other group of individuals considered the same places as outdoor spaces.

Kray 2013 tries to make us understand the transitional processes in the spaces for our better understanding.

Figure 2. Spatial expressions relating to indoor, outdoor, and transitional spaces (from Kray et al., 2013).

The indoor areas are not well-built for receiving navigation based technology due to their bad positioning . In this case,outdoor spaces are considered better than indoor ones, whereas indoor appliances are much more required these days such as Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, RFID, and other audio technologies.

Motivation

In the global navigation satellite system (GNSS ) ,outdoor areas positioning is already well defined.

GPS is covering positioning-related issues so far. WIFI is working in accordance with the G.P.S system. It is an emerging need in the smartphone era. Problems are being faced regarding the positioning matters in indoor spaces.

Buildings are not caching most of the satellite signals due to their positioning issues. More smart applications are required in indoor spaces to catch GPS signals even. GPS does work more efficiently in moving vehicles, even in outdoor spaces, while the accuracy in signals has been disturbed mostly in indoor spaces.

Besides the fact, humans have less mobility at their homes, and their positioning varies most frequently.Even, at airports and malls , humans keep on changing their positions while sitting in some restroom area or other recreational places 

In short, the indoor positioning is much more complexed, and it is much more hard to make it capable of catching the GPS System.

The centralized system in indoor spaces is not well-equipped for technology . It fails in getting the right positions for GPS signals even.

An indoor layout plan

GPS technology is being used by partially blind people for a long time.Now they are getting introduced to a much-advanced technology through us.   Some popular indoor appliances at our homes, such as Wi-Fi , Bluetooth , RFID, and Audio devices, can be used easily to facilitate people with visual impairments.

We can discuss here the indoors navigation plan so far.

Deak et al. deal with positioning issues only.

Indoor positioning technologies are being discussed here as follows:

There are many RF-Based and Non-RF based technologies available these days around us. Wifi is a good example of RF-Based technology in this regard.

Figure 4. Positioning technologies and methods for indoor areas

The use of Wifi can be discussed in detail as it is receiving more attention in previous literature and researches. The use of internet and wifi is in the RF based technologies and audio technologies. The technologies are receiving more attention due to number of applications in different fields. The signages and dead reckoning are the major applicatios that are used in the indoor areas and it work without positioning infrastructure. Besdies these approaches another approach and use of technology is combination of dead reckoning and RF. Some other technologies use other methods and approaches that locate the device and user. Figure 3.1 shows common methodologies that can be used to check the closeness of the devices as well as users. These applications are used to ideinfity the time of arrival for the signal. The technology used in the process for the location of fingerprinting is different and it can be analyzed by direction of arrival (DOA) and TOA.  The use of technologies is important for positioning of the subsequent sections. Here objective is to conclude research and conduct comparison of technolgoies. The research approach consider prototyping, implementation and performance evaluation.

Indoor Navigation Challenges for Visually Impaired People

1.      Just think about attempting to find an unknown building without taking the help of signs which determine where exits are located, or notices which help in understanding where stairs and elevators are located, or even warning posts which help in alerting you about an area of construction or a wet floor. Specifically, what really happens when you are unable to follow the posts and signs to the exit when an emergency or another dangerous situation occurs and you have to leave the building? For learning about an unknown building’s spatial layout or the routes which are best for exiting a building when an emergency occurs, you might prefer asking a bystander or friend for help or you might even refer to a 2D or two-dimensional map for assistance.

2.      Let’s imagine now that you have just entered an unknown building, however, you are impaired visually. How do you think you would obtain the information that you require for reaching the destination within an indoor environment about which you know close to nothing about? Individuals who are impaired visually, are generally confronted with navigation and wayfinding issues like these regularly. Considering these issues, new spaces are often not explored by individuals who are impaired visually and they normally have to depend on hired experts, family members, or friends when they require to explore an unknown location. Due to it, their exploration of unknown locations is limited severely.

3.      Several approaches were utilized by us for understanding the unmet requirements, challenges, tools, techniques, and processes of individuals who are impaired visually in terms of navigation and wayfinding. Surveys, interviews, blog posts, and passive observations are included in these methods. A significant data set was yielded by these approaches that should be capable of informing the establishment of more useful and efficient tools of navigation for people who are impaired visually. In addition, for ensuring an effective process of need assessment, a working relationship was initiated by us with the BVRSP or Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh and the WPSBC or Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. Primarily, disseminated needs were informed primarily by these firms and their networks in this research. The former one is a nonprofit and private United Way firm that has a belief in independence through treatment and rehabilitation.

4.      BVRSP, for more than a hundred years, has actually worked with individuals who are vision impaired, deaf-blind, or blind for assisting them in being independent. The instructors of firm, a lot of them are impaired visually themselves, offer instructions to people in important areas. Employment and vocational services are provided by them along with employment and programs about low-vision rehabilitation. Actually, we worked with various adults who were impaired visually or blind from BVRSP and their existing network for informing this process.

5.      When it comes to A to B navigation, there is no need for users to type in their actual or current position. In a similar manner, they don’t have to think about counting turns or doors. They can get their position as they move across the building on the map. Important alerts that are associated with user security and safety will be delivered in real-time.

6.      Additionally, if the phone of a person is enabled, the system of indoor navigation can be utilized by it without investing in another device. It doesn’t manner if the user needs to shop in a department store or supermarket, users can easily identify their way and direction through different turns in a simple manner. In general, indoor navigation is a fundamental platform of technology which doesn’t need the users to update to up-to-date and modern devices for enjoying services.

The technology used in the indoor navigation is depednet on the wifi and it provide accurate and unmatched conditions where the GPS systems is not working. Evidently, the GPS system can produce vague outomces when used in the indoor applications. The trick is to use combination of building blueprints under available technologies. The use of Wifi is a guarantee that work in the unparallel levels of accuracy. It is important to use location of mail and user can rely on the accuracy of system.

There are vast varieties of indoor navigation platforms and they provide a blind of favour. The creation of platform is based on compatibility and braillie. The manufacturers can manage and transform navigation of indoors. The indoor navigation is an instrument that can find the complex building for instance Mail. The small rooms in the large MOQ can become extremely difficult for the manoeuvre. The technology precision allows the company to move in the complex building that is without the hassle and it will enable the user to perform different tasks effortlessly.

The better experience will be provided through INS for VI. It will make the process easy for the blind shoppers. The process can be faster and convenient for shoppers and it can find products and stores. The automatic process can be increased and it will increase brand value and mall loyalty. The well-integrated system can be used to increase the satisfaction level of shopper and sales. The system can reduce number of shopper who leave the mail without having any process to purchase. The process can be frustrated due to lack of time and users can find products and stores that they are seeking. The technology can be used to better optimize the space of user and to identify popular areas of mall. The areas under consideration are football by shoppers and it allow the mall to run the marketing campaign and access the right target customers. Proposition value to the State of Qatar

Qatar is building different cities of future that will be forefront of innovation, achieve the sustainable development, and enhance quality of life. In line to the national vision 2030 of Qatar, the country is developing cities of future and embarking the journey to develop the smart cities. These cities encompass the smart applications in different areas including mobility, infrastructure, energy, utilities, buildings and other areas.

In order to recognize the growing demand of the smart solution of Qatar the government of Qatar is introducing the smart district. The international industry experts of Qatar are looking for the active contributors to achieve smart nation program of Qatar. The ideal platform is based on the smart technology providoers, urban planners, innovators, entrepreneurs, and industry specialists. The specialist work to explore the requirements of digital cities of Qatar and connect the land substantial contracts and local stakeholders.

The implementation of an accessible wayfinding for people with visual impairments in different kind of venues is considered as a key project to ensure the inclusion of everyone in the smart cities. This is will be drive Qatar to a sustainable economic agenda set forward by Qatar’s Vision 2030.

Aims of the Project Proposal

The following project aims to implement the first Arabic accessible wayfinding system for people with impairments who are facing difficulties in indoor navigation inside the Malls which impact negatively their shopping journey.

Figure 5. Example of a Mobile App used inside a mall (photo credit: onelectrontech.com[1])

The aims of the proposed project are:

•      To implement an accessible wayfinding system for people with visual impairments in mall

•      To adapt with the international regulations of accessibility and elimination of architectural barriers for People with Functional imitations (PFL’s).

•      To drive sustainable economic agenda set forward by Qatar’s Vision 2030.

•      To maintain Qatar’s rank in the Dare index (Digital Accessibility Rights Index).

 [1]https://www.onelectrontech.com/ips-indoor-positioning-system/