Sleek Construction
An effective assistive device must not be overt or bulky. Conspicuous forms such as face-obstructing headgear, enormous backpacks, and thick belts are unsuitable, yet many existing navigation aids have adopted them. Devices like this might be technically effective, but threaten a user's convenience, privacy, and agility, and are not acceptable for real life use.
The Wearable GPS is subtle, comfortable, and wireless. A single neoprene band envelops sixteen vibration motors and supports the controller module. The band is breathable, waterproof, and only one eighth of an inch thick and 1.5” tall. The WGPS could be integrated into a headpiece of the wearer's preference, such as a beanie or a bicycle helmet. Worn on its own, it could easily pass off as an athletic sweatband to an unsuspecting passerby.
Custom Electronics
The Wearable GPS uses an Adafruit Feather BLE microcontroller to handle the main control loop, input/output, Bluetooth LE telemetry, and battery management.
On top of it sits a custom circuit board (right) that drives motors with a 1:16 HC4067 multiplexer chip, measures head orientation and tilt with an LSM303 sensor, and steps up motor voltage with a TPS61200. All on one piece of copper-clad substrate, laminated with black solder mask. Top dollar!
Note: this picture was taken with an older version of version of the circuit board and without the 3D printed cover. The download below is for a newer version.
Mobile Application
The Wearable GPS mobile application handles secure and battery-friendly Bluetooth communication with the headband. The app has a carefully informed and tailored interface that allows for blind or visually impaired interaction. Dictation is available for user input, all menus are equipped with automatic text-to-speech narration, and buttons are large and graphically unique so that users will quickly learn to interact by memory.