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Development of an Audio-based Virtual Gaming Environment to Assist with Navigation Skills in the Blind
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An Audio-Based 3D Spatial Guidance AR System for Blind Users
James M Coughlan1, Brandon Biggs1, Marc-Aurèle Rivière2
1The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, San Francisco, CA.
Computers Helping People with Special Needs : ... International Conference, ICCHP ... : Proceedings. International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs
|November 23, 2020
Summary
Augmented reality (AR) offers audio guidance for blind users. A new 3D spatial audio interface helps visually impaired individuals navigate physical objects, demonstrating a feasible and beneficial approach.
Area of Science:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Assistive Technology
- Augmented Reality
Background:
- Augmented reality (AR) applications can provide valuable environmental audio information for blind users.
- Existing AR apps like CamIO offer real-time audio feedback for physical objects but lack precise spatial guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a simple 3D spatial audio interface for augmented reality applications.
- To provide real-time verbal guidance to help blind users locate specific points on physical objects.
Main Methods:
- Devised a novel audio interface for 3D spatial guidance.
- Conducted experiments with blind participants using the AR guidance interface and an inexpensive stylus for object interaction.
Main Results:
- The developed audio interface successfully provided verbal guidance towards targets in 3D space.
- Blind participants demonstrated the feasibility and benefits of the system in finding locations of interest on objects.
Conclusions:
- The proposed 3D spatial audio guidance interface is a feasible and beneficial feature for augmented reality applications used by blind individuals.
- This technology enhances the accessibility of physical objects for the visually impaired through intuitive audio feedback.
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