Influence of LED-based assistive lighting solutions on the autonomous mobility of low vision people

Pichayada Katemake (1) , Anukul Radsamrong (1) , Eric Dinet (2) , Choong Wee Heng (3) , Ye Chow Kuang (4) , Vineetha Kalavally (3) , Alain Trémeau (2)

1 Chulalongkorn University [Bangkok]
2 LHC - Laboratoire Hubert Curien
3 Monash University [Malaysia]
4 University of Waikato [Hamilton]

This paper presents novel LED-based lighting solutions that can impact the mobility of individuals with low vision. By conducting three separate experiments involving mobility courses, the authors evaluate the effects of illuminance, correlated color temperature, object edge enhancement and contrast-enhancing lighting on the mobility of people with low vision. Using a total of 134 participants comprising of elderly, low vision subjects, and normal vision subjects wearing low-vision simulation glasses, the impact of these lighting solutions on the mobility of low vision subjects with blurry vision, central scotoma, tunnel vision and cataract are presented, making them a potential alternative to conventional mobility aids.

Keywords: Visual impairment; Mobility; Low vision; Visual aid; Visual enhancement; Smart lighting

Domains: Optics / Photonic; Library and information sciences

Pichayada Katemake, Anukul Radsamrong, Eric Dinet, Choong Wee Heng, Ye Chow Kuang, et al.. Influence of LED-based assistive lighting solutions on the autonomous mobility of low vision people. Building and Environment, 2019, 157, pp.172-184. ⟨10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.04.026⟩. ⟨ujm-02121087⟩