Science of Emotion and Sensibility (감성과학)

Korean Society for Emotion and Sensibility (한국감성과학회)
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A Conversational Interactive Tactile Map for the Visually Impaired

시각장애인의 길 탐색을 위한 대화형 인터랙티브 촉각 지도 개발

  • Received : 2019.11.19
  • Accepted : 2020.01.29
  • Published : 2020.03.31
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Abstract

Visually impaired people use tactile maps to get spatial information about their surrounding environment, find their way, and improve their independent mobility. However, classical tactile maps that make use of braille to describe the location within the map have several limitations, such as the lack of information due to constraints on space and limited feedback possibilities. This study describes the development of a new multi-modal interactive tactile map interface that addresses the challenges of tactile maps to improve the usability and independence of visually impaired people when using tactile maps. This interface adds touch gesture recognition to the surface of tactile maps and enables the users to verbally interact with a voice agent to receive feedback and information about navigation routes and points of interest. A low-cost prototype was developed to conduct usability tests that evaluated the interface through a survey and interview given to blind participants after using the prototype. The test results show that this interactive tactile map prototype provides improved usability for people over traditional tactile maps that use braille only. Participants reported that it was easier to find the starting point and points of interest they wished to navigate to with the prototype. Also, it improved self-reported independence and confidence compared with traditional tactile maps. Future work includes further development of the mobility solution based on the feedback received and an extensive quantitative study.

시각장애인들에게는 길 찾기 및 탐색이 어려운 과제이기 때문에, 이들의 독립적이고 자율적인 이동성 향상에 대한 연구가 필요하다. 그러나 기존의 점자 촉각 지도는 여러 문제점을 가지고 있다. 이를 해결하기 위해 기술의 발달과 함께 촉각 지도에 다른 인터랙션 방식을 더하려는 시도들이 존재해왔다. 본 연구는 이러한 흐름 속에서 새로운 대화형 인터랙티브 촉각 지도 인터페이스를 개발하였다. 촉각 탐색을 하는 동안 사용자의 터치를 인식하여 음성 피드백을 제공하며, 사용자가 음성 에이전트와 대화를 나눌 수 있고 이를 통해 관심 지점에 대한 정보나 경로 안내를 받을 수 있다. 사용성 테스트를 진행하기 위해 프로토타입을 제작하였으며, 실제 시각장애인들을 대상으로 프로토타입 사용 후 설문 및 인터뷰를 통한 실험을 진행하였다. 점자를 사용한 기존 촉각 지도보다 본 연구에서 제작된 인터랙티브 촉각 지도 프로토타입이 시각장애인들에게 더욱 높은 사용성을 제공하였다. 시각장애인들은 본 연구의 프로토타입을 사용했을 때 더 빨리 시작 지점 및 관심 지점을 찾을 수 있었고 더 높은 독립성 및 확신을 가질 수 있었다고 보고하였다. 본 연구는 시각장애인의 지도 이용 및 경험을 향상시킬 수 있는 새로운 촉각 지도 인터페이스를 제시하였다. 실험에서 프로토타입의 개선 방향에 대한 다양한 피드백을 받을 수 있었다. 아직 개발 단계에 있기 때문에, 이를 반영한 후속 연구를 통해 이를 더욱 발전시킬 수 있을 것이다.

Keywords

References

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