Hi! I am working on a design thinking project for school and would l like to get a better understanding of what the experiences of VI and blind people are when it comes to navigating immediate surroundings in urban environments.

Currently, LiDARs (light based radars) and object detection and recognition technology are being developed for autonomous cars to allow them to scan, understand, and navigate the environment. I am trying to see if the same technology could be translated into a device for VI/blind people to navigate their immediate environments?

My questions are: what navigation apps have you found helpful? What are your experiences with wayfinding information that is provided in a tactile manner, for example tactile maps? If a stream of wayfinding information could be provided in a tactile manner (for example instead of verbal cues) that it would free up your ability to use audio for other uses?

Thank you in advance for your answers!! This is my first time researching with a target population so I hope my questions are open ended enough to be able to empathize and ideate from your experiences!