An End-to-End Pipeline to Generate Augmented Tactile Maps from Floor Plans

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Assistive Technology
• Accessibility Research

Background:

• Visually impaired individuals face challenges navigating indoor environments.
• Existing tactile maps often lack dynamic or interactive features.
• Audio feedback can enhance spatial understanding and navigation for blind users.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an end-to-end pipeline for generating accessible tactile maps with audio annotations.
• To assess the usability and effectiveness of the system for navigation tasks.
• To identify areas for improvement in the tactile map system.

Main Methods:

• Integration of Semantic Interior Mapology (SIM) for floor plan annotation.
• Utilizing CamIO, a camera-based web application for audio feedback delivery.
• Conducting pilot and follow-up studies with blind participants performing navigation tasks.

Main Results:

• Participants successfully completed room-finding and route-tracing tasks.
• The system demonstrated good usability (mean SUS score of 77).
• Low perceived workload (NASA-TLX) indicated system effectiveness.
• Identified needs for reduced latency and improved interaction with small hotspots.

Conclusions:

• The developed pipeline effectively transforms floor plans into accessible, audio-enriched tactile maps.
• The system supports spatial understanding and navigation for visually impaired users.
• Further refinements are needed to enhance user experience, particularly concerning interaction latency and hotspot clarity.