Laser sensing and vision sensing smart canes can improve the convenience of travel for the visually impaired, but for the present, most of the system functions of laser sensing and vision sensing smart canes are still defective. Guide equipment and smart blind canes are introduced and classified first, and the smart blind canes based on vision sensing, laser sensing and laser vision sensing are investigated, respectively, and the research status of laser vision sensing smart blind canes is sorted out. The advantages and disadvantages of various laser vision sensing smart blind canes are summarized, especially the research development of laser vision fusion as the core of new smart canes. The future development prospects of laser vision sensing smart blind cane are overviewed, to boost the development of laser vision sensing smart blind cane, to provide safe and efficient travel guarantee for the visually impaired.

In recent years, simultaneous localization and mapping with the fusion of LiDAR and vision fusion has gained extensive attention in the field of autonomous navigation and environment sensing. However, its limitations in feature-scarce (low-texture, repetitive structure) environmental scenarios and dynamic environments have prompted researchers to investigate the use of combining LiDAR with other sensors, particularly the effective fusion with vision sensors. This technique has proven to be highly effective in handling a variety of situations by fusing deep learning with adaptive algorithms. LiDAR excels in complex environments, with its ability to acquire high-precision 3D spatial information, especially when dealing with complex and dynamic environments with high reliability. This paper analyzes the research status, including the main research results and findings, of the early single-sensor SLAM technology and the current stage of LiDAR and vision fusion SLAM. Specific solutions for current problems (complexity of data fusion, computational burden and real-time performance, multi-scenario data processing, etc.) are examined by categorizing and summarizing the body of the extant literature and, at the same time, discussing the trends and limitations of the current research by categorizing and summarizing the existing literature, as well as looks forward to the future research directions, including multi-sensor fusion, optimization of algorithms, improvement of real-time performance, and expansion of application scenarios. This review aims to provide guidelines and insights for the development of SLAM technology for LiDAR and vision fusion, with a view to providing a reference for further SLAM technology research.

In this paper, an intelligent blind guide system based on 2D LiDAR and RGB-D camera sensing is proposed, and the system is mounted on a smart cane. The intelligent guide system relies on 2D LiDAR, an RGB-D camera, IMU, GPS, Jetson nano B01, STM32, and other hardware. The main advantage of the intelligent guide system proposed by us is that the distance between the smart cane and obstacles can be measured by 2D LiDAR based on the cartographer algorithm, thus achieving simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). At the same time, through the improved YOLOv5 algorithm, pedestrians, vehicles, pedestrian crosswalks, traffic lights, warning posts, stone piers, tactile paving, and other objects in front of the visually impaired can be quickly and effectively identified. Laser SLAM and improved YOLOv5 obstacle identification tests were carried out inside a teaching building on the campus of Hainan Normal University and on a pedestrian crossing on Longkun South Road in Haikou City, Hainan Province. The results show that the intelligent guide system developed by us can drive the omnidirectional wheels at the bottom of the smart cane and provide the smart cane with a self-leading blind guide function, like a “guide dog”, which can effectively guide the visually impaired to avoid obstacles and reach their predetermined destination, and can quickly and effectively identify the obstacles on the way out. The mapping and positioning accuracy of the system’s laser SLAM is 1 m ± 7 cm, and the laser SLAM speed of this system is 25~31 FPS, which can realize the short-distance obstacle avoidance and navigation function both in indoor and outdoor environments. The improved YOLOv5 helps to identify 86 types of objects. The recognition rates for pedestrian crosswalks and for vehicles are 84.6% and 71.8%, respectively; the overall recognition rate for 86 types of objects is 61.2%, and the obstacle recognition rate of the intelligent guide system is 25–26 FPS.

In this study, the electrical performance and bias stability of InSnO/a-InGaZnO (ITO/a-IGZO) heterojunction thin-film transistors (TFTs) are investigated. Compared to a-IGZO TFTs, the mobility (µ_FE) and bias stability of ITO/a-IGZO heterojunction TFTs are enhanced. The band alignment of the ITO/a-IGZO heterojunction is analyzed by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A conduction band offset (∆E_C) of 0.5 eV is observed in the ITO/a-IGZO heterojunction, resulting in electron accumulation in the formed potential well. Meanwhile, the ∆E_C of the ITO/a-IGZO heterojunction can be modulated by nitrogen doping ITO (ITON), which can affect the carrier confinement and transport properties at the ITO/a-IGZO heterojunction interface. Moreover, the carrier concentration distribution at the ITO/a-IGZO heterointerface is extracted by means of TCAD silvaco 2018 simulation, which is beneficial for enhancing the electrical performance of ITO/a-IGZO heterojunction TFTs.

With continuous breakthroughs in electrochromic technology, tungsten trioxide (WO₃) thin films, as a core material in this field, are rapidly expanding their applications in smart windows, anti-glare automotive rearview mirrors, and adaptive optical lenses. Owing to its excellent electrochromic properties—including high optical modulation, short switching times, and high coloration efficiency—WO₃ has become a research focus in the field of electrochromic devices. This review takes WO₃ thin films as the research subject. It begins by introducing the crystal structure of WO₃ and the ion/electron co-intercalation-based electrochromic mechanism and explains two key performance parameters for evaluating electrochromic properties: optical modulation amplitude and coloration efficiency. Subsequently, it provides a detailed review of recent advances in the preparation of WO₃ thin films via physical methods (including sputtering deposition, evaporative deposition, and pulsed laser deposition) and chemical methods (including hydrothermal, sol–gel, and electrodeposition methods). A systematic comparison is made of the microstructure and electrochromic performance (optical modulation amplitude and coloration efficiency) of films prepared by different methods, and the interaction between WO₃ film morphology and device structure is analyzed. Finally, the advantages and challenges of physical and chemical methods in tuning film properties are summarized, and the outlook of their application prospects in high-performance electrochromic devices is given. This review aims to provide guidance for the selection and process optimization of WO₃ thin films with enhanced performance for applications such as smart windows, anti-glare rearview mirrors, and adaptive optical systems.

Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) are widely used in stress and temperature sensing due to their small size, light weight, high resistance to high temperatures, corrosion, electromagnetic interference, and low cost. In recent years, various structural enhancements and sensitization to FBGs have been explored to improve the performance of ocean temperature and depth sensors, thereby enhancing the accuracy and detection range of ocean temperature and depth data. This paper reviews advancements in temperature, pressure, and dual-parameter enhancement techniques for FBG-based sensors. Additionally, the advantages and disadvantages of each method are compared and analyzed, providing new directions for the application of FBG sensors in marine exploration.