PERCEPT Indoor Wayfinding for Blind and Visually Impaired Users: Navigation Instructions Algorithm and Validation Framework

Yang Tao, Linlin Ding, Sili Wang, Aura Ganz

2017

Abstract

This paper introduces an algorithm that generates indoor navigation instructions for Blind and Visually Impaired (BVI) users as well as a validation framework that validates these instructions. The validation framework which utilizes Unity game engine incorporates: a) a virtual environment that mirrors the physical environment and b) a game avatar that traverses this virtual environment following action code sequences which correspond to the navigation instructions. A navigation instruction from a source to a destination is correct if the game avatar successfully reaches from the source to the destination in the virtual environment following this navigation instruction. We successfully tested the navigation instruction generation algorithm and the validation framework in a large two-story building with 66 landmarks and 1500 navigation instructions. To the best of our knowledge this is the first automated generation instructions algorithm for BVI users in indoor environments, and the first validation framework for navigation instructions in indoor environments. This paper is a significant step towards the development of a cost effective indoor wayfinding solution for BVI users.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Tao Y., Ding L., Wang S. and Ganz A. (2017). PERCEPT Indoor Wayfinding for Blind and Visually Impaired Users: Navigation Instructions Algorithm and Validation Framework . In Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies for Ageing Well and e-Health - Volume 1: ICT4AWE, ISBN 978-989-758-251-6, pages 143-149. DOI: 10.5220/0006312001430149

in Bibtex Style

@conference{ict4awe17,
author={Yang Tao and Linlin Ding and Sili Wang and Aura Ganz},
title={PERCEPT Indoor Wayfinding for Blind and Visually Impaired Users: Navigation Instructions Algorithm and Validation Framework},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies for Ageing Well and e-Health - Volume 1: ICT4AWE,},
year={2017},
pages={143-149},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0006312001430149},
isbn={978-989-758-251-6},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF
JO - Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies for Ageing Well and e-Health - Volume 1: ICT4AWE,
TI - PERCEPT Indoor Wayfinding for Blind and Visually Impaired Users: Navigation Instructions Algorithm and Validation Framework
SN - 978-989-758-251-6
AU - Tao Y.
AU - Ding L.
AU - Wang S.
AU - Ganz A.
PY - 2017
SP - 143
EP - 149
DO - 10.5220/0006312001430149