We can walk down the corridor? Veering perception via vibration stimuli generated from distance variation

Abstract

We have been developing a vibro-visual system for the visually impaired (Vibro-eyesight by Walking; VieW), which makes the user perceive space by providing vibration stimuli based on the difference in distance from obstacles caused by walking or head rotation. The purpose of this research is to clarify the points to be considered in developing the VieW that assists the visually impaired users to perceive the surrounding space and walk without colliding with walls, assuming an indoor corridor environment, and to verify the modifications that should be made to the VieW. Through walking experiments in a corridor with walls on both sides, we confirmed the importance of the perception of veering, i.e., the shift in the movement direction, and the perception of the veering direction. The results suggest that a vibration presentation method that clearly differentiates between approaching and moving away from a wall is effective.