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Indoor Navigation Applications - Describing Building Interiors (self.Blind)
submitted by aintthatfancytoday
Hey folks, I'm looking for advice/input. I work for a company that's developed an indoor navigation app for visually impaired and sighted users. I'm fairly new to the role and sighted myself. The app is called Accessibuild and is available on iOS, with plans to launch on Android soon. It's a user-friendly turn-by-turn app for inside buildings.
Right now there's a bunch of great features, but there's one I'd like to get some input on from people who'd be using the app. The feature is how directions are given. There are currently two options:
* Option 1: Direct to Destination - Users are given the shortest, simplest description of the route to their destination.For Example: Starting Navigation from Main Entrance, Walk 20 steps forward and you will be at Intersection 2. Walk 30 steps right and you will be at your destination, McDonald's is on your left.
* Option 2: Detailed Directions - Users are directed to their destination, but any points of interest along the way are noted.For Example: Starting Navigation from Main Entrance, Walk 5 steps forward and you will be at Taco Bell on your left. Continue forward for 10 steps and you will be at Dairy Queen on your right. Walk 5 steps forward and you will be at Intersection 2. Walk 30 steps right and you will be at your destination, McDonald's is on your left.
Forgive me, this isn't exact, it's just a basic example of directions in a place like a food court in a mall. Right now, when giving directions, you are always told about turns that are relevant to your route. However, if there's a hallway that branches off from your main route, you don't hear about it.
For instance, if you are walking down a long hallway with rooms on either side and a secondary hallway to accessible bathrooms is located down that hallway, you wouldn't hear that the secondary hallway is there (even though the separate rooms to your left and right *are* described when using touring mode).
If you are using the touring mode and trying to mentally map a building, would you want/need to know about a secondary hallway that leads to points of interest, like bathrooms? Something like "Intersection 5, Hallway to Accessible Bathrooms, on your right" before continuing to describe your continuing route down the original hallway?
Where would this be needed? Would you use this type of touring feature and when would you use it? Sorry for the long post. If you have any input or suggestions, I'd love to hear them!
Edit: formatting, extra detail
Right now there's a bunch of great features, but there's one I'd like to get some input on from people who'd be using the app. The feature is how directions are given. There are currently two options:
* Option 1: Direct to Destination - Users are given the shortest, simplest description of the route to their destination.For Example: Starting Navigation from Main Entrance, Walk 20 steps forward and you will be at Intersection 2. Walk 30 steps right and you will be at your destination, McDonald's is on your left.
* Option 2: Detailed Directions - Users are directed to their destination, but any points of interest along the way are noted.For Example: Starting Navigation from Main Entrance, Walk 5 steps forward and you will be at Taco Bell on your left. Continue forward for 10 steps and you will be at Dairy Queen on your right. Walk 5 steps forward and you will be at Intersection 2. Walk 30 steps right and you will be at your destination, McDonald's is on your left.
Forgive me, this isn't exact, it's just a basic example of directions in a place like a food court in a mall. Right now, when giving directions, you are always told about turns that are relevant to your route. However, if there's a hallway that branches off from your main route, you don't hear about it.
For instance, if you are walking down a long hallway with rooms on either side and a secondary hallway to accessible bathrooms is located down that hallway, you wouldn't hear that the secondary hallway is there (even though the separate rooms to your left and right *are* described when using touring mode).
If you are using the touring mode and trying to mentally map a building, would you want/need to know about a secondary hallway that leads to points of interest, like bathrooms? Something like "Intersection 5, Hallway to Accessible Bathrooms, on your right" before continuing to describe your continuing route down the original hallway?
Where would this be needed? Would you use this type of touring feature and when would you use it? Sorry for the long post. If you have any input or suggestions, I'd love to hear them!
Edit: formatting, extra detail
KillerLag 2 points 3y ago
I'm checking out the app currently, and I notice the apps selects the length of each step by height alone. Would there be another method for someone to figure out their stride length? I know people of varying heights who may travel faster or slowly because of cane usage, or something else.
Is there only one test building currently? the only address that shows up is 176 Lakeshore (I assume Blvd, which would put it in Etobicoke).
Looking at the phrase "Walk 11.9 meters forward and you will be at ID 23 Canadian Cancer Society right", I assume ID 23 will be the marker to indicate the landmark (Canadian Cancer Society) and it is on the right?
I've also noticed that when using the clock face method, you also refer to 3 o'clock and noon. Does it using the ones in between (1 o'clock, 2 o'clock)? That would the options be using the plain language setting when you want to say forward, but a little to the right or left?
How does the system account for a path that is curved?
Is there a method for the app itself to adjust the directions along the path? Suppose someone walked a little too far and went through the wrong door. Does the system inform the user they are going through the wrong door, or it just continues on the listed route? Or if someone is walking through an open space and drifts along the way?
Is there only one test building currently? the only address that shows up is 176 Lakeshore (I assume Blvd, which would put it in Etobicoke).
Looking at the phrase "Walk 11.9 meters forward and you will be at ID 23 Canadian Cancer Society right", I assume ID 23 will be the marker to indicate the landmark (Canadian Cancer Society) and it is on the right?
I've also noticed that when using the clock face method, you also refer to 3 o'clock and noon. Does it using the ones in between (1 o'clock, 2 o'clock)? That would the options be using the plain language setting when you want to say forward, but a little to the right or left?
How does the system account for a path that is curved?
Is there a method for the app itself to adjust the directions along the path? Suppose someone walked a little too far and went through the wrong door. Does the system inform the user they are going through the wrong door, or it just continues on the listed route? Or if someone is walking through an open space and drifts along the way?
aintthatfancytoday [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Great questions!
For stride length, height is a starting point, and we do have a process for making sure it's accurate for individual users. Under the Navigation section, there's also quick-adjust buttons to bump the stride length up or down if the user is finding they're not quite meeting the marks. Usually, when the user is new to the app, you test the stride length on a short path and determine if you've reached your target, or were too slow or too fast and ended up ahead or before it.
​
There is only one building currently. That address is 176 Lakeshore Drive, North Bay, Ontario. There are others on the way and we are always looking for new buildings to map, but building owners are the ones who request the service, it's free to users. Since it's to improve accessibility, owners may be eligible for funding, though I don't have much information on that right this second.
​
The ID numbers are internal numbers at this point, but I believe will be integrated on physical signage to some degree. You are correct that "ID 23, Canadian Cancer Society, Right" indicates the destination is on the right. In that case, it's a room, and if you turn right, you should be facing the center of the door for that room.
​
Right now we are trying to avoid 45-degree angles wherever possible because it can decrease accuracy. So at this time, there are no 1 o'clock or 2 o'clock turns, but we are looking at it. Same with curves.
​
Because the app does not use GPS, or Bluetooth, or data, etc, users are still encouraged to use their white cane, guide dog, or other assistive devices and skills. The course doesn't auto-correct itself (since that would use GPS or data). If someone is going through a doorway, you would still need to check the sign, since this doesn't replace existing skills or assistive devices. So if a user arrived at their destination, read the sign, and realized they'd over or undershot their target, they would be able to change their departure point to their current position and be directed to their destination.
The steps feature is likely the most accurate because you are able to calibrate it to your personal step speed/length, adjust as needed, and you don't need to judge lengths such as in feet or meters. But that's just my own thoughts.
For stride length, height is a starting point, and we do have a process for making sure it's accurate for individual users. Under the Navigation section, there's also quick-adjust buttons to bump the stride length up or down if the user is finding they're not quite meeting the marks. Usually, when the user is new to the app, you test the stride length on a short path and determine if you've reached your target, or were too slow or too fast and ended up ahead or before it.
​
There is only one building currently. That address is 176 Lakeshore Drive, North Bay, Ontario. There are others on the way and we are always looking for new buildings to map, but building owners are the ones who request the service, it's free to users. Since it's to improve accessibility, owners may be eligible for funding, though I don't have much information on that right this second.
​
The ID numbers are internal numbers at this point, but I believe will be integrated on physical signage to some degree. You are correct that "ID 23, Canadian Cancer Society, Right" indicates the destination is on the right. In that case, it's a room, and if you turn right, you should be facing the center of the door for that room.
​
Right now we are trying to avoid 45-degree angles wherever possible because it can decrease accuracy. So at this time, there are no 1 o'clock or 2 o'clock turns, but we are looking at it. Same with curves.
​
Because the app does not use GPS, or Bluetooth, or data, etc, users are still encouraged to use their white cane, guide dog, or other assistive devices and skills. The course doesn't auto-correct itself (since that would use GPS or data). If someone is going through a doorway, you would still need to check the sign, since this doesn't replace existing skills or assistive devices. So if a user arrived at their destination, read the sign, and realized they'd over or undershot their target, they would be able to change their departure point to their current position and be directed to their destination.
The steps feature is likely the most accurate because you are able to calibrate it to your personal step speed/length, adjust as needed, and you don't need to judge lengths such as in feet or meters. But that's just my own thoughts.
CloudyBeep 2 points 3y ago
I think you need to be careful to not give too much information because that could make some people a little uneasy.
aintthatfancytoday [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Howso?
CloudyBeep 1 points 3y ago
Because:
1. People will instinctively try to remember it all, which will be hhard. We aren't used to receiving so much information that you could just get with a quick glance.
2. It might delay them on their current route if they stop until the information is over.
1. People will instinctively try to remember it all, which will be hhard. We aren't used to receiving so much information that you could just get with a quick glance.
2. It might delay them on their current route if they stop until the information is over.
Throwaway1588442 1 points 3y ago
You could set varying modes though thus might be beyond the budget
aintthatfancytoday [OP] 2 points 3y ago
There are varying modes now. I'm looking for information on if users would find the additional detail helpful, or necessary. If they would use it, and where and when they would use it.
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