Testing a Novel Auditory Interface Display to Enable Visually Impaired Travelers to Use Sonar Mobility Devices Effectively

Abstract

This paper discusses the pilot testing of an auditory interface designed to increase navigational ability of visually impaired individuals. Sonar devices have been developed to increase preview distances, but these have gained limited acceptance as they lack an easily interpreted interface. This paper presents usability testing of an auditory prototype interface developed using the work domain analysis of ecological interface design (EID). An interface design that provides the user with sufficient preview to avoid obstacles may offer more environmental information than the single tones of the current designs.