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Hearing the way: requirements and preferences for technology-supported navigation aids
Laura Lewis1, Sarah Sharples1, Ed Chandler2
1Human Factors Research Group, Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
Applied Ergonomics
|February 17, 2015
Summary
This study defines user requirements for assistive wayfinding systems for individuals with sight problems. The findings emphasize personalized guidance and environmental cue integration for improved navigation technology.
Area of Science:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Assistive Technology
- Mobility Aids
Background:
- Numerous systems exist to aid wayfinding for visually impaired individuals.
- A clear definition of user requirements for these systems is currently lacking.
- Understanding user needs is crucial for developing effective assistive navigation solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the essential user requirements for assistive wayfinding systems.
- To investigate the optimal method for guiding users between locations.
- To inform the design of navigation technologies for people with sight conditions.
Main Methods:
- Focus group discussions were conducted to gather user requirements.
- An experiment was designed to evaluate different user guidance methods.
- User interaction patterns with assistive systems were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Users require information about surroundings, route guidance, and progress updates.
- Users with sight conditions interact with systems differently than sighted users.
- The most preferred guidance method involved both on-track and off-track notifications, but performance was optimal with only off-track notifications.
Conclusions:
- Assistive navigation technologies hold significant potential for supporting visually impaired individuals.
- User control over guidance cues is essential, supplementing rather than replacing environmental cues.
- Designing systems tailored to the unique interaction styles of users with sight conditions is paramount.
