Assistive Drone

A small unmanned aerial vehicle configured to assist a person with a disability — most often a blind or low-vision user — with tasks such as locating objects, navigating unfamiliar environments, scanning distant signage, and previewing walking-path conditions. Compared to wearable cameras or handheld assistants, assistive drones can fly ahead of or above the user, providing allocentric perspectives that extend perception beyond the user's immediate vicinity. Open research challenges include safe operation in public spaces, propeller noise masking ambient safety cues, battery life, privacy, and the lack of public recognition of drones as assistive devices on par with white canes or guide dogs.