Virtual Reality Systems as an Orientation Aid for People Who Are Blind to Acquire New Spatial Information

Abstract

This research aims to examine the impact of virtual environments interface on the exploration process, construction of cognitive maps, and performance of orientation tasks in real spaces by users who are blind. The study compared interaction with identical spaces using different systems: BlindAid, Virtual Cane, and real space. These two virtual systems include user-interface action commands that convey unique abilities and activities to users who are blind and that operate only in these VR systems and not in real space (e.g., teleporting the user’s avatar or pointing at a virtual object to receive information). This research included 15 participants who are blind, divided into three groups: a control group and two experimental groups. Varied tasks (exploration and orientation) were used in two virtual environments and in real spaces, with both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The results show that the participants were able to explore, construct a cognitive map, and perform orientation tasks. Participants in both virtual systems used these action commands during their exploration process: all participants used the teleport action command to move their avatar to the starting point and all Virtual Cane participants explored the environment mainly by using the look-around mode, which enabled them to collect spatial information in a way that influenced their ability to construct a cognitive map based on a map model.

A Training Smartphone Application for the Simulation of Outdoor Blind Pedestrian Navigation: Usability, UX Evaluation, Sentiment Analysis

“…Over the last 25 years, researchers and developers have worked on developing multisensory VR-based systems to help blind individuals develop orientation skills. The advantages of these solutions as highlighted in previous works include improved spatial information perception, solving spatial problems, practicing and improving O&M skills, and developing O&M strategies [ 24 , 26 , 28 ], as well as enabling the user’s independent interaction, displaying immediate feedback tailored to the user’s sensory and cognitive abilities, and providing the opportunity to practice in a safe environment without time or professional constraints. Furthermore, virtual environments (VEs) can facilitate the work of O&M professionals in providing better training services [ 33 ].…”

“…In [ 28 ], extending her work, the researcher investigated how virtual environments affect individuals who are blind and visually impaired in exploring, creating cognitive maps, and carrying out activities requiring spatial orientation in real situations. The findings of the study demonstrated that multisensorial VR systems impact the same or even better spatial abilities of the individual when compared with exploring space in the real world.…”

Uma ferramenta para a customização de ambientes virtuais para práticas de Orientação e Mobilidade

“…ISSN 2596-1683 desenvolvimento de uma representação mental do ambiente. Tais representações permitem ao indivíduo projetar o espaço que está sendo navegado e suas principais características [6].…”

“…As pessoas cegas ou com a visão fortemente comprometida podem usar outros sentidos para compensar a escassez de informação visual: um exemplo é a audição, que possibilita estabelecer relações de distância e direção, usadas para identificação de dicas e pontos importantes [6], permitindo um melhor desenvolvimento das habilidades cognitivas. Com base nessas evidências, algumas pesquisas começaram a investigar o áudio 3D para permitir a construção de estruturas mentais espaciais, sugerindo que as imagens espaciais não dependem apenas da informação visual [5] [2].…”

“…Soluções que simulam espaços do mundo real (e.g., prédios, museus) que usam áudio tridimensional têm sido usadas no aprimoramento de habilidades de O&M de PDVs [2]. Pesquisadores já mostraram que o uso de pistas auditivas, técnicas de sonar e áudio 3D combinados a dispositivos de feedback háptico (e.g., joysticks, bengalas eletrônicas) melhoram a interação do usuário, ajudam a promover a aceitação da tecnologia e afetam de forma positiva seu impacto cognitivo na área de O&M [6]. Existem, inclusive, soluções de customização e edição desses ambientes digitais, tais como BlindAid [6], Virtual Cane [6] e VStroll [4].…”