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An Initial Field Trial of a Haptic Navigation System for Persons with a Visual Impairment
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering, Embedded Internet Systems Lab.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4249-5510
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Health Sciences, Health and Rehabilitation.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7812-321X
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Health Sciences, Health and Rehabilitation.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5084-9913
Luleå University of Technology, Department of Health Sciences, Health and Rehabilitation.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9813-2719
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2015 (English)In: Journal of Assistive Technologies, ISSN 1754-9450, E-ISSN 2042-8723, Vol. 9, no 4, p. 199-206Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to describe conceptions of feasibility of a haptic navigation system for persons with a visual impairment (VI). Design/methodology/approach– Six persons with a VI who were white cane users were tasked with traversing a predetermined route in a corridor environment using the haptic navigation system. To see whether white cane experience translated to using the system, the participants received no prior training. The procedures were video-recorded, and the participants were interviewed about their conceptions of using the system. The interviews were analyzed using content analysis, where inductively generated codes that emerged from the data were clustered together and formulated into categories. Findings– The participants quickly figured out how to use the system, and soon adopted their own usage technique. Despite this, locating objects was difficult. The interviews highlighted the desire to be able to feel at a distance, with several scenarios presented to illustrate current problems. The participants noted that their previous white cane experience helped, but that it nevertheless would take a lot of practice to master using this system. The potential for the device to increase security in unfamiliar environments was mentioned. Practical problems with the prototype were also discussed, notably the lack of auditory feedback. Originality/value– One novel aspect of this field trial is the way it was carried out. Prior training was intentionally not provided, which means that the findings reflect immediate user experiences. The findings confirm the value of being able to perceive things beyond the range of the white cane; at the same time, the participants expressed concerns about that ability. Another key feature is that the prototype should be seen as a navigation aid rather than an obstacle avoidance device, despite the interaction similarities with the white cane. As such, the intent is not to replace the white cane as a primary means of detecting obstacles.

Abstract [en]

Purpose: The purpose of the presented field trial was to describe conceptions of feasibility of a haptic navigation system for persons with a visual impairment.Design/methodology/approach: Six persons with a visual impairment who were white cane users were tasked with traversing a predetermined route in a corridor environment using the haptic navigation system. To see whether white cane experience translated to using the system, the participants received no prior training. The procedures were video-recorded, and the participants were interviewed about their conceptions of using the system. The interviews were analyzed using content analysis, where inductively generated codes that emerged from the data were clustered together and formulated into categories.Findings: The participants quickly figured out how to use the system, and soon adopted their own usage technique. Despite this, locating objects was difficult. The interviews highlighted the desire to be able to feel at a distance, with several scenarios presented to illustrate current problems. The participants noted that their previous white cane experience helped, but that it nevertheless would take a lot of practice to master using this system. The potential for the device to increase security in unfamiliar environments was mentioned. Practical problems with the prototype were also discussed, notably the lack of auditory feedback. Originality/value: One novel aspect of this field trial is the way it was carried out. Prior training was intentionally not provided, which means that the findings reflect immediate user experiences. The findings confirm the value of being able to perceive things beyond the range of the white cane; at the same time, the participants expressed concerns about that ability. Another key feature is that the prototype should be seen as a navigation aid rather than an obstacle avoidance device, despite the interaction similarities with the white cane. As such, the intent is not to replace the white cane as a primary means of detecting obstacles.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2015. Vol. 9, no 4, p. 199-206
National Category
Other Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering Occupational Therapy Physiotherapy
Research subject
Industrial Electronics; Occupational therapy; Physiotherapy
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-9514DOI: 10.1108/JAT-01-2015-0002ISI: 000422588800003Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-84946825898Local ID: 82b7a0dc-20a7-44fa-9ca3-e4b39bf01ff8OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ltu-9514DiVA, id: diva2:982452
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Note

Validerad; 2015; Nivå 1; 20150520 (danahl)

Available from: 2016-09-29 Created: 2016-09-29 Last updated: 2023-09-05Bibliographically approved

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