Automatically generated landmark-enhanced navigation instructions for blind pedestrians

Abstract

Visual impairment limits a person mainly in ability to move freely and independently. Even with many navigation aids and tools currently on the market, almost one third of the visually impaired do not travel independently without a guide, and human-prepared landmark-enhanced itineraries of the route are the most useful. We designed a system which based on a specific efficiently collected geographical data generates human-like landmark-enhanced navigation instructions. The studies we conducted (quantitative n = 16, qualitative n = 6) proved usability and efficiency of the system. Further we provide set of design recommendations to increase the usability of the system along with specific examples of usage with particular landmarks.