March 25, 2022

Abstract

VIS4ION is an advanced AI edge computing and navigational platform for visually impaired persons (VI) to navigate to and from previously mapped locations. The platform has been created and evaluated in a well-planned and well-constructed city like NYC. Putting VIS4ION technology to work in Thailand requires more understanding of the needs and wants of Thai VI as well as local culture and existing civil and communication infrastructures. New applications and cloud computing services shall be created to satisfy the new requirements and working with VIS4ION edge computing devices and software architecture. The presentation shall address four key aspects, namely health and well-being, fairness and inclusivity, disaster resilience and modern civil infrastructure. Our first focus for building local VIS4ION is mapping of key buildings and walking paths between buildings on Mahidol University, Salaya campus and public parks. We shall gather initial local requirements that cover the key aspects from our researchers who themselves are also VI. The newly discovered information shall be used to guide our modification and new development of other components for the platform. This will enable real-world practical usage of the platform to truly benefit the VI in Thailand. 

Presenters

Dr. Pattanasak Mongkolwat is the dean of the Faculty of ICT, Mahidol University. He joined the faculty on November 2015. Previously, he worked at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine as a Research Professor of Radiology. He currently serves as a scientific reviewer for RSNA RadioGraphicsand Artificial Intelligence, and SIIM Journal of Digital Imaging. He is a board certified American Board of Imaging Informatics since 2013. He was a funded subject matter expert for the U.S. NIH NCI’s Biomedical Informatics Grid (caBIG®) In Vivo Imaging Workspace and received NCI’s caBIG® Outstanding Achievement Award. Dr. Mongkolwat’s current research focuses on medical informatics and imaging; machine and deep learning for medical images; a robot and IoT for senior healthy living; applying simulation and gaming technology in healthcare; health data collection for big data; mapping NCI’s AIM to DICOM SR; and assistive technology for disabled persons.
Dr. Wachara Riewpaiboon is a lecturer of the Master and Ph.D programs on Quality of Life Development of Persons with Disabilities at the Ratchasuda College, Mahidol University. Thailand. She is a physiatrist in background. Her research areas are around human functioning, social inclusion, quality of life and rehabilitation which multi-disciplinary approach and societal perspectives are utilized. 

Dr. Issavara Sirirungruang, is a lecturer in the Ph.D program on Quality of Life Development of Persons with Disabilities, at Ratchasuda College, Mahidol University. She teaches a course on Disability and Accessibility. Her research interests are related to accessibility, participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities. 

She volunteers in the editorial board of “East Wind”, the magazine of the World Blind Union Asia-Pacific (WBU-AP). She is a steering committee of the Thailand Association of the Blind which is the national organization of persons with visual impairment. She is also the President of the Thai Graduate Society of the Blind.