Wearable Haptic Navigation System for the visually impaired

Buzz Nav is a wearable indoor navigation concept designed to help visually impaired individuals move through unfamiliar environments with greater independence, confidence, and ease. While outdoor navigation has benefited from GPS-enabled technologies, indoor spaces such as hospitals, transit hubs, campuses, offices, and public buildings continue to present significant accessibility challenges. Complex layouts, inconsistent wayfinding systems, and reliance on external assistance often make indoor navigation difficult and mentally demanding.

Buzz Nav explores a new approach to indoor navigation by shifting guidance from sound to touch. The system combines environmental sensing, route processing, and wearable haptic technology to create a non-visual navigation experience. Users begin by selecting a destination through voice input. The system then identifies an optimal route and communicates navigation instructions through two lightweight clip-on wearable devices positioned near the shoulders.

Instead of spoken directions, Buzz Nav uses distinct vibration patterns to convey movement cues. Vibrations on the left or right shoulder indicate upcoming turns, while other patterns communicate actions such as moving forward or stopping. By mapping navigation cues directly to the body, the system creates a more intuitive and continuous guidance experience that can be understood without interrupting movement.

A key design consideration was preserving users' awareness of their surroundings. Unlike solutions that rely heavily on audio feedback, Buzz Nav allows users to continue hearing environmental sounds, conversations, announcements, and other important auditory information while receiving navigation guidance through touch. This reduces cognitive overload and supports safer movement in busy indoor environments.

The project was informed by user interviews, accessibility research, and iterative exploration of wearable forms and interaction patterns. Through multiple rounds of concept development and prototyping, the design evolved into a compact wearable system focused on simplicity, comfort, and intuitive interaction.

More than a navigation tool, Buzz Nav represents an exploration of how haptic communication and wearable technology can expand accessibility in everyday environments. By rethinking how navigation information is delivered, the concept aims to create more inclusive indoor experiences and empower visually impaired individuals to navigate spaces with greater autonomy and confidence.