Multimodal Application for the Perception of Spaces (MAPS)

MAPS (Multimodal Application for the Perception of Spaces) is a tablet App, with associated hardware, for providing on-the-go access to audio-tactile maps of unfamiliar indoor venues to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Performance of the system was assessed using a survey knowledge task in which participants were exposed to three different cue combinations: audio only, audio with haptic cues provided by the tablet's built-in vibrational motor (built-in tactile), and audio with haptic feedback provided by special vibrating rings worn on two fingers (stereo-tactile). Of the three conditions, the combination of audio and built-in tactile feedback resulted in superior user performance in judging the relative direction to points of interest. Results indicate that the audio-tactile display improves survey knowledge both when used for a priori (pre-visit) map learning and on-the-go (within the environment) to provide just-in-time information.