Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Sonification of range information for 3-D space perception.

Evangelos Milios1, Bill Kapralos, Agnieszka Kopinska

  • 1Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 1W5, Canada. eem@cs.dal.ca

IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering : a Publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
|February 13, 2004
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces a novel device enabling three-dimensional (3-D) space perception for the visually impaired through the sonification of laser range data. Users can accurately detect spatial details and perceive their surroundings using this innovative auditory feedback system.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Digital Health Monitoring and Intervention Suite for Stress in Frontline Nurses: Prospective Cohort Trial.

JMIR formative research·2026
Same author

Using Sound to Simulate Tactile Cues: AI-Generated Audio and Pseudo-Haptics in Medical Simulation.

Cureus·2026
Same author

Supporting Unpaid Caregivers of Persons Living With Dementia: Protocol for a Pilot Feasibility Study to Explore Caregiver Outcomes and Impact of a Co-Designed Simulation-Based Psychoeducation Program in Virtual Reality.

JMIR research protocols·2026
Same author

From Theory to Practice: Serious Game Education in Singapore and Canada.

Cureus·2026
Same author

Correction: Use of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Technologies to Support Resilience and Skill-Building in Caregivers of Persons With Dementia: A Scoping Review.

Cureus·2025
Same author

"It's Good. It's Really Good.": Perspectives of Older Adults, Exercise/Recreation Professionals, and Primary Care Providers on Designing a Movement Behavior Intervention Using the Staircase Approach.

Journal of aging and physical activity·2025

Area of Science:

  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Assistive Technology
  • Sensory Substitution

Background:

  • Visually impaired individuals often rely on navigation aids for spatial awareness.
  • Existing aids like sonar-based devices are primarily for obstacle detection, not detailed spatial perception.
  • Sonar's wide beam width and limitations in range and reflection artifacts hinder detailed 3-D environmental mapping.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and evaluate a device for enhancing three-dimensional (3-D) space perception in blindfolded users.
  • To enable detailed environmental awareness beyond simple obstacle detection.
  • To explore the sonification of laser range data as a sensory substitution method.

Main Methods:

  • A point laser range sensor was integrated into a wearable device for blindfolded users.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Users scanned their environment by directing the laser beam.
  • Range measurements were converted into auditory signals (sonification) with frequency or amplitude varying with distance.

    • Main Results:

    • Preliminary trials showed users could easily and accurately detect corners and depth discontinuities.
    • Users demonstrated an ability to perceive the size and layout of their surrounding space.
    • The device facilitated a richer understanding of 3-D spatial structures compared to traditional sonar aids.

    Conclusions:

    • Sonification of laser range data offers a promising method for detailed 3-D spatial perception in visually impaired individuals.
    • This approach surpasses sonar-based systems for tasks requiring nuanced environmental understanding.
    • The developed device represents a significant advancement in assistive technology for enhancing spatial awareness.