TY - JOUR
T1 - Improved mobility performance with an artificial vision therapy system using a thermal sensor
AU - He, Yingchen
AU - Sun, Susan Y.
AU - Roy, Arup
AU - Caspi, Avi
AU - Montezuma, Sandra R.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 IOP Publishing Ltd.
Copyright:
Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2020/8/4
Y1 - 2020/8/4
N2 - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the benefit of integrating thermal imaging into an artificial vision therapy system, the Argus II retinal prosthesis, in simplifying a complex scene and improving mobility performance in the presence of other persons.APPROACH: Four Argus II retinal implant users were evaluated on two tasks: to locate and approach target persons in a booth, and to navigate a hallway while avoiding people. They completed the tasks using both the original Argus II system (the 'Argus II camera') and a thermal-integrated Argus II system (the 'thermal camera'). The safety and efficiency of their navigation were evaluated by their walking speed, navigation errors, and the number of collisions.MAIN RESULTS: Navigation performance was significantly superior when using the thermal camera compared to using the Argus II camera, including 75% smaller angle of deviation (p < 0.001), 48% smaller error of distance (p < 0.05), and 30% fewer collisions (p < 0.05). The thermal camera also brought the additional benefit of allowing the participants to perform the task in the dark as efficiently as in the light. More importantly, these benefits did not come at a cost of reduced walking speed.SIGNIFICANCE: Using the thermal camera in the Argus II system, compared to a visible-light camera, could improve the wearers' navigation performance by helping them better approach or avoid other persons. Adding the thermal camera to future artificial vision therapy systems may complement the visible-light camera and improve the users' mobility safety and efficiency, enhancing their quality of life.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the benefit of integrating thermal imaging into an artificial vision therapy system, the Argus II retinal prosthesis, in simplifying a complex scene and improving mobility performance in the presence of other persons.APPROACH: Four Argus II retinal implant users were evaluated on two tasks: to locate and approach target persons in a booth, and to navigate a hallway while avoiding people. They completed the tasks using both the original Argus II system (the 'Argus II camera') and a thermal-integrated Argus II system (the 'thermal camera'). The safety and efficiency of their navigation were evaluated by their walking speed, navigation errors, and the number of collisions.MAIN RESULTS: Navigation performance was significantly superior when using the thermal camera compared to using the Argus II camera, including 75% smaller angle of deviation (p < 0.001), 48% smaller error of distance (p < 0.05), and 30% fewer collisions (p < 0.05). The thermal camera also brought the additional benefit of allowing the participants to perform the task in the dark as efficiently as in the light. More importantly, these benefits did not come at a cost of reduced walking speed.SIGNIFICANCE: Using the thermal camera in the Argus II system, compared to a visible-light camera, could improve the wearers' navigation performance by helping them better approach or avoid other persons. Adding the thermal camera to future artificial vision therapy systems may complement the visible-light camera and improve the users' mobility safety and efficiency, enhancing their quality of life.
KW - mobility
KW - navigation
KW - prosthetic vision
KW - thermal camera
KW - ultra-low vision
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U2 - 10.1088/1741-2552/aba4fb
DO - 10.1088/1741-2552/aba4fb
M3 - Article
C2 - 32650330
AN - SCOPUS:85089165733
SN - 1741-2560
VL - 17
JO - Journal of neural engineering
JF - Journal of neural engineering
IS - 4
M1 - 045011
ER -