Abstract

PAREDES REGALADO, Belén et al. Implementation of a positioning system to correct the trajectory of visually impaired people inside pools. RCTU [online]. 2021, vol.8, n.1, pp.92-106. ISSN 1390-7697.  https://doi.org/10.26423/rctu.v8i1.578.

The objective of this research work was the implementation of a positioning system, using artificial vision and actuator networks to reduce the trajectory error of blind people in semi-Olympic swimming pools, thus eliminating the manual tapping method. The system consists of 3 nodes, one for image acquisition, composed of a USB camera. A processing node consisting of a computer where the acquired images are processed. A receiver node in the form of a vest made up of a NodeMCU module that allows communication via WIFI with the processing node which indicates the start of the competition, the degree of deviation of the swimmer with respect to the center line of the lane and the approach of the swimmer to the upper and lower limit of the lane. These messages are encoded by two vibrating motors located on the left and right side of the vest. As a result of the tests it was determined that the nodes communicate at distances of up to 90m linearly, and at depths of up to 12cm. The system sends approach alerts 4m before reaching the upper boundary, 3m before reaching the lower boundary and 10cm to the left or right with respect to the lane centerline. The speed it took the system to process and send the information is less than 230ms, which leads to the conclusion that the developed system is able to correct the swimmer's trajectory, providing safety and reducing the risk of accidents, thus becoming a tool to promote the inclusion of blind people in recreational activities or aquatic competitions.

Keywords : Artificial vision; swimming; visual disability; positioning; development board.

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