Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42536976›Full record

ArticleJMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologies2026

Indoor Navigation for People With Visual Impairment in Canada: Participatory Co-Design and Interdisciplinary Study of the Edge A-Eye Platform.

Soutongnoma Safiata Kaboré, Deborah Annan, Prajjol Raj Puri, Sergio Mejia Romero, Nathalie Gingras-Royer, Justin Gauthier, Hồng Nhung, Phuong Anh Nguyen, Benoit Pelletier, Kim Khoa Nguyen and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologies, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Soutongnoma Safiata KaboréSchool of Optomtery, University of Montreal, 3744 Jean-Brillant Street, Montreal, QC, H3T 1P1, Canada, 1 5145766589.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7983-3798
Deborah AnnanSchool of Optomtery, University of Montreal, 3744 Jean-Brillant Street, Montreal, QC, H3T 1P1, Canada, 1 5145766589.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-7329-1285
Prajjol Raj PuriSchool of Optomtery, University of Montreal, 3744 Jean-Brillant Street, Montreal, QC, H3T 1P1, Canada, 1 5145766589.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0423-3907
Sergio Mejia RomeroSchool of Optomtery, University of Montreal, 3744 Jean-Brillant Street, Montreal, QC, H3T 1P1, Canada, 1 5145766589.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6667-8031
Nathalie Gingras-RoyerSchool of Optomtery, University of Montreal, 3744 Jean-Brillant Street, Montreal, QC, H3T 1P1, Canada, 1 5145766589.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0004-0395-9249
Justin GauthierDepartment of Electrical Engineering, School of Higher Technology, Montreal, QC, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009‑0008‑0089‑5090
Hồng NhungDepartment of Electrical Engineering, School of Higher Technology, Montreal, QC, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-4411-5426
Phuong Anh NguyenDepartment of Electrical Engineering, School of Higher Technology, Montreal, QC, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8066-0417
Benoit PelletierDepartment of Electrical Engineering, School of Higher Technology, Montreal, QC, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0007-7767-7270
Kim Khoa NguyenDepartment of Electrical Engineering, School of Higher Technology, Montreal, QC, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9354-7544
Hassane AlamiPublic Health School, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5461-7693
Joseph Paul NemargutSchool of Optomtery, University of Montreal, 3744 Jean-Brillant Street, Montreal, QC, H3T 1P1, Canada, 1 5145766589.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6274-6172

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

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.

Indexed as

accessibilityAI-based assistive technologyartificial intelligenceCanadaco-designhuman-centered designindoor navigationmobile phoneuniversal designvisual impairment

Identifiers

PMID42536976
PMCPMC13427077

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.