A multimodal feedback interface for assisted navigation with a smart walker

Facin, Sofia; Sierra, Sergio D; Withey, Dan; Orlandi, Silvia; Mellone, Sabato; Múnera, Marcela; Cifuentes, Carlos A

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of a mul-timodal feedback interface for assisted navigation using a smart walker, addressing mobility challenges faced by older adults. The methodology involved equipping a walker with sensors and feedback components, and testing it with 12 healthy participants using visual, auditory, and haptic feedback modes in a controlled environment. Results indicated significant differences in user performance across feedback types, with vibration feedback being more comfortable and less stressful compared to others. The findings highlight user preferences for combined feedback modalities, contributing to the design of improved assistive navigation systems for older adults.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: 6th International Conference on NeuroRehabilitation (ICNR2024)
• Start Date: Nov 5, 2024
• End Date: Nov 8, 2024
• Acceptance Date: Aug 12, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Feb 27, 2025
• Publication Date: Feb 27, 2025
• Deposit Date: Oct 31, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 28, 2026
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Series Title: Biosystems & Biorobotics
• Series Number: 31
• Series ISSN: 2195-3570
• Book Title: Converging Clinical and Engineering Research on Neurorehabilitation V
• ISBN: 9783031775871
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-77588-8_105
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13326515