Navigating large spaces for VI

Abstract

This design track research project aims to create a non-visual interface for indoor navigation on smartphones, enhancing accessibility for visually impaired individuals. Employing a user centered design approach, our team has conducted comprehensive user research and require ments gathering through interviews, surveys, competitive analysis, and literature reviews. These methodologies enabled us to deeply understand visually impaired users’ navigation challenges and preferences. In response to these insights, we developed an application with a non-visual map that is op timized for smartphone screens, incorporating audio cues and other non-visual elements to fa cilitate navigation. Additionally, we designed and developed a conversational chatbot interface integrated within the smartphone app. This chatbot leverages natural language processing (NLP) capabilities tailored for smartphone interactions to efficiently understand and respond to user queries and commands. The interface is crafted to be intuitive, with a dialogue flow that is optimized for smartphone screens and input methods. The project’s aim is to deliver a versatile, accessible navigation aid that significantly improves the mobility and independence of visually impaired users, thereby fostering greater inclusivity in digital navigation technologies.