Digital Twin Smart Educational Platform for Visually Impaired Navigation Training

The purpose of this study is to examine the engineering validity and pedagogical efficacy of the Adaptive Multi-modal Reality Learning Environment (AMRLE) for visually impaired orientation and mobility (O&M) training. The platform features a three-tier architecture: Data Acquisition Tier: Utilizing Mobile Laser Scanning (MLS) and LiDAR point clouds to generate high-fidelity 3D environments compliant with the Saudi Building Code (SBC 201) universal access standards. Processing Tier: Running a custom 3D simulation engine embedded with an AI-driven adaptive algorithm. The algorithm dynamically adjusts environmental complexity and obstacle density based on the user's real-time collision metrics and path deviation speeds. Human Interaction Tier: Delivering sensory...

Inclusion criteria

• Certified clinical diagnosis of severe visual impairment or legal blindness.
• Aged between 18 and 60 years old.
• Physical ability to walk independently and unassisted for at least 15 continuous minutes.
• Cognitive and neurological competence to comprehend and interact with multi-modal software telemetry.
• Baseline proficiency in using accessibility screen-reader features on mobile devices.

Exclusion criteria

• Profound sensorineural hearing loss or auditory dysfunction that prevents 3D spatial binaural sound localization.
• Active upper or lower-limb motor neuropathies that disrupt the perception of haptic micro-actuator vibrations.
• History of severe vestibular disorders, severe motion sickness, or inner ear syndromes causing chronic dizziness.
• Current participation in concurrent physical orientation and mobility clinical trials.