Navigation Information
Use case
The user is requesting to hear their location information or has selected a destination and would like to receive guidance for:
1) Walking directions for their route
2) “Last mile” directions
3) information about any stops along the way (such as. bus stops or crosswalks)
System feedback
Walking directions
As a user begins to receive navigation direction, they will begin receiving information indicating what they need to do, when they need to do it, and where they will be if they followed those directions. For example, “In 60 ft, turn sharp right towards 15th ave.”
After completing each step, they will hear the good chime, followed by information indicating where they are and future information of where to turn. As an example, you’ll hear, “Now you’re on 15th ave. In 20 ft, turn left towards East Harrison St.”
Last mile
As the user nears their final destination, they will receive stereo direction information assisting them to enter their selected point of interest, which utilizes the methods learned in blind and low-vision training. i.e. “Approaching bus stop at your 11 o’clock.”
Sound files
Walking directions
Whereabouts
Last mile
Young woman is walking with a cane, she hears voice directions in her ear.
Navigation information in action
As you begin your journey, you set up the address and initialize your directions. As you initialize the directions, you hear “You’re on 15th ave. In 20 ft, turn left towards East Harrison St.” So you come up to 20 ft and feel a vibration in your left wrist. Then you turn left at the curb ramp crossing when the audible crossing initializes. Upon crossing you hear a short chime, confirming you turned on the correct street.
User requirements
We learned from our users that in scenarios described above, they’d like to know:
Current location
Users would like to where they are and in which direction they should be heading.
Future turn
Users would like to know when their next turn, intersection, or change in mode of transportation (bus, walking, etc.) is, and how that relates to the rest of their route.
Last mile
Users would like to receive detailed information guiding them to the entrance of place. This can be due to them nearing their final destination, any stops, or changes in their mode of transportation.
Input System Requirements
Location
Location and camera imagery is used to locate the user and provide navigation guidance to them.
This information is also used to ensure users take the correct turns and make progress toward their final destination.
Direction
Sensors detect the direction the user is heading to provide navigation guidance.
This information is also used to ensure the user is heading down the correct path when following navigation instructions.
Identify objects
Various sensors are used to detect objects.
The system uses a combination of computer vision, virtual tags, and crowd-sourced data to identify objects such as the entrance door, bus stop details, or specific building information.