Indoor Navigation for People With Visual Impairment in Canada: Participatory Co-Design and Interdisciplinary Study of the Edge A-Eye Platform
Source: PubMed Central Open Access, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine
Abstract Background Indoor navigation remains a major challenge for people with visual impairments, affecting autonomy, safety, and quality of life. While navigation‑based assistive technologies leveraging artificial intelligence and mobile computing show promise, their adoption remains limited due to insufficient user-centered and context-aware design. Objective This study aimed to co-design Edge A-Eye, an inclusive artificial intelligence–powered indoor navigation platform for people with visual impairment in Canada, using a participatory and interdisciplinary approach grounded in accessibility, rehabilitation, and human-centered design principles. Methods From May 2024 to December 2025, we conducted research using an 8-step iterative co-design process. A total of 12 people with visual impairment and 2 specialists in vision rehabilitation participated in bilingual focus groups and semistructured interviews. A co-creation workshop gathered 21 stakeholders (users, clinicians, researchers, and industry partners). Successive prototypes were evaluated in controlled environments and real-world public settings. Data were analyzed thematically using an inductive-deductive approach informed by human-centered and inclusive design frameworks. Results Continuous stakeholder engagement reinforced the relevance and usability of the evolving prototypes. Participant feedback guided major design decisions, such as optimizing iPhone (Apple Inc) compatibility, excluding the gyroscope due to u
Abstract
Abstract Background Indoor navigation remains a major challenge for people with visual impairments, affecting autonomy, safety, and quality of life. While navigation‑based assistive technologies leveraging artificial intelligence and mobile computing show promise, their adoption remains limited due to insufficient user-centered and context-aware design. Objective This study aimed to co-design Edge A-Eye, an inclusive artificial intelligence–powered indoor navigation platform for people with visual impairment in Canada, using a participatory and interdisciplinary approach grounded in accessibility, rehabilitation, and human-centered design principles. Methods From May 2024 to December 2025, we conducted research using an 8-step iterative co-design process. A total of 12 people with visual impairment and 2 specialists in vision rehabilitation participated in bilingual focus groups and semistructured interviews. A co-creation workshop gathered 21 stakeholders (users, clinicians, researchers, and industry partners). Successive prototypes were evaluated in controlled environments and real-world public settings. Data were analyzed thematically using an inductive-deductive approach informed by human-centered and inclusive design frameworks. Results Continuous stakeholder engagement reinforced the relevance and usability of the evolving prototypes. Participant feedback guided major design decisions, such as optimizing iPhone (Apple Inc) compatibility, excluding the gyroscope due to usability and battery constraints, and integrating hands-free navigation. The process also addressed cross-cutting issues such as digital accessibility, cybersecurity, universal design, and equitable access for users with varying technological literacy. Conclusions The Edge A-Eye project demonstrates how a sustained participatory co-design approach can meaningfully shape assistive technology innovation. By integrating the expertise of people with visual impairment, clinicians, researchers, and industry partners at every stage, the resulting platform is better aligned with real-world needs, safety considerations, and user expectations. This work provides a replicable framework for developing inclusive, context-aware indoor navigation technologies.