Effective Exploration of Functional Spaces for BVIs
Funding:
NIH NEI SBIR (previous funding with Barron Associates)
Previous project:
Multi-modal Application for the Perception of Spaces (NIH SBIR Awarded R. Adams, Barron Associates, D. Pawluk sub-contract)
The MAPS refreshable map display for functional spaces (indoor and outdoor) supports independence of function for individuals who are blind or visually impaired by providing on-the-go information about the space when and where needed. The system will be designed is compatible with the new interior maps feature on Google Maps for Android, thus providing access to a rapidly growing database of publicly available data. Performance was assessed using a survey knowledge task in which participants were exposed to three different cue combinations: audio only, audio with haptic cues provided by the tablet’s built-in vibrational motor (built-in tactile), and audio with haptic feedback provided by special vibrating rings worn on two fingers (stereo-tactile). Of the three conditions, the combination of audio and built-in tactile feedback resulted in superior user performance in judging the relative direction to points of interest. Results indicate that the audio-tactile display improves survey knowledge both when used for a priori (pre-visit) map learning and on-the-go (within the environment) to provide just-in-time information.
Multimodal Application for the Perception of Spaces (MAPS).
Adams, R., Pawluk, D., Fields, M. and Clingman, R. (2015).
https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/2700648.2811386?accessTab=true