Understanding and Using Spatial Landmarks of Visually Impaired People for Navigation Applications
Résumé
Navigation is one of the major difficulties for Visually Impaired People (VIP). Spatial landmarks are of great importance for them to find their way and orient themselves. In this paper, the most commonly used spatial landmarks by VIP are identified and their geometric constraints are constructed to pave the way for map-matching algorithms. The representative landmarks for VIP were identified through a systematic interview with 12 VIP, whose profiles cover different levels of vision impairments using different assistive mobility aids. Various analyses are performed based on their sensory modality, frequency of use as well as the number of users. Next, the previously identified landmarks are divided into two categories: waypoints and reassurance points, depending on whether they contribute directly to map-matching algorithms. Geometric constraints are designed for each identified landmark to facilitate their integration into the map-matching or path-planning algorithms. Finally, an explicit dictionary of landmarks and their geometric constraints is proposed dedicated to the VIP’s navigation in cities. Through a user centric approach, our method translates the subjective, personal navigation experiences of the VIP into an objective, universally accessible format.