Workbook final

230 - The Walls for Everyone, University of Pisa, Italy

ONTACT

Università di Pisa - Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Informazione

Prof. Luca Fanucci

Italy

+39(0)50-2217668

VERALL GOAL

MISSION

The main aim of the project “

The Walls for Everyone

” is to give the possibility to people with visual impairments to visit

Lucca’s urban walls in autonomy by using a system specifically designed and with similar features to those of the

traditional white cane for blind people. The traditional white cane is in fact used for both the detection of obstacles and

as an aid to identify the user's location through the exploration of the environment by the recognition of environmental

features and points or elements of reference along the way.

The ICT device start from the same idea and it is specifically designed to improve the freedom of movement thus

improving everyone self-esteem and human relations in general for people with visual impairments.

HE SOLUTION THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED

The idea behind the system of mobility aid developed is to set up a pre-defined and safe itinerary that gives people with

visual impairments the opportunity to walk on the Walls of Lucca independently. The path is identified and followed by

the user with a vibration on the handle of a white stick, called Smart Cane. This device is equipped with electronic

components able to detect a metal cable that has been previously settled and buried all along the itinerary; this cable

gives the signal to the Smart Cane. A smartphone connected to the Smart Cane via Bluetooth provides additional voice

information for the navigation.

OUNTRY IN WHICH IT WAS DEVELOPED

Italy

OUNTRY

COUNTRIES IN WHICH IT IS OPERATING

Italy

ACTS ABOUT SIZE AND SCOPE



The system for The Walls for Everyone attempts to overcome the weaknesses of other accommodating systems that

offer mobility aid through the integration of three methods: by using a default location, GPS integration, and by the

use of voice information on the path provided through a smartphone and interface located on the stick. This is why

the implemented technology applied in this project is better than other technologies (based on laser for example),

especially in terms of detecting objects in front of the walker.