Auditory Interactive Map/Navigator for Blind People

This new orientation aid consists of an auditors interactive map with a subsystem for automatedposition tracking. It is essentially' a "talking map" that guides the traveler to his/her destination whilekeeping track of their location. A wayfinding module provides flexible access to the map/database,including route selection, search, backtracking, and detour functions. Verbal route instructions areprovided using speech synthesis. The aid is portable and worn like a "walkman" cassette player, it hasbeen designed for minimum cost without sacrificing functionality. Unlike systems that use GPS forpositioning information, position tracking is by a stand-alone module that uses electronic compass andinertial sensors. This avoids the expense and signal reception problems associated with navigation bysatellite or radio beacon. Phase I specific aims include a feasibility demonstration of automated positiontracking and route guidance for both indoor and outdoor routes. An additional aim is to demonstrate thatcompilation of route instructions can be achieved with modest investment. Pilot tests and a focus group,with blind subjects, will be used to optimize the prototype design. A formal evaluation, in which tenblind subjects travel an unfamiliar route using the prototype aid, will constitute a feasibility demonstra-tion.