Project Guideline
An open-source smartphone trial uses image recognition and sound to guide blind and visually impaired runners along a marked route.
About
Project Guideline was developed by Google Research together with blind runners and organizations such as Guiding Eyes for the Blind. A phone worn at the hip recognizes a painted line, builds a route from it, and provides directional and stop sounds through headphones. The system is open source and has been tested at various locations. It remains a research platform: it requires specific hardware and a marked course, and is not a general navigation app for public roads.
AI factor
A segmentation model continuously determines where the route line lies relative to the runner, and a depth model can mark obstacles. The runner stays in control; safe course setup, training, and human support around the trial remain necessary.
Sources
Inspiration sourced from AI For Good. Not an Arnaldus customer case.