First, we developed an audio–tactile map viewer that can represent real-world route and facilities near the route. This viewer is based on our previous work regarding a mapping tool for gaming applications. We improved it with customizable audio–tactile cues based on feedbacks from test users at an exhibition and workshops. Finally, we explored presentation methods that serve the individual needs of visually impaired users in the most appropriate way.

1. OTASCE Map: A Mobile Map Tool
with Customizable Audio-Tactile
Cues for the Visually Impaired
Masaki Matsuo1, Takahiro Miura2, Ryosuke Ichikari2,
Karimu Kato1, Takeshi Kurata1,2
1) University of Tsukuba, Japan.
2) Nat’l Inst. of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan.

2. Abstract
ver.0.1
๏OTASCE Map (Oto-Tactile
SCapE Map) that can
represent real-world route
information
Preferred combination of audio-tactile stimuli varies
depending on the degree of a user's disability.
๏Evaluated preferred combinations
of voice/sound/vibration (n=5):
๏Blind: sound + voice + vibration
๏Low vision: single effect
(voice or vibration)
ver.1.0

3. Outline
• Background and Objective
• Design of the audio-tactile map viewer
• Evaluation of map viewer
• Conclusion and Future work
• After presentation
• Questions and discussions
• Demonstration of OTASCE Map

4. Background 1
• Several navigation methods for the visually impaired
• Turn-by-turn navigation
• Orientation in relation to points of interest (POIs) near the
starting point or destination of the route
• Learning routes before going out
4

5. Background 2
• Examples of Various Navigational Aids:
• NavCog: Indoor turn-by-turn navigation system that
enables users to walk easily to destination in building
using audio information.
• BlindSquare: Orientation information systems that delivers
detailed points of interest (POIS) and intersections using
speech and sounds.
5

6. Background 3
• Examples of Route Learning Systems:
• Method of conveying terrain information for the
visually impaired using tactile and sound information
• Tactile maps: presents graphic information using
raised surfaces
• AR tactile map: recognizes the movement of the
fingertip on the map and informs the information of
the touched location through speech.
6

7. Problems
• Few map applications feature flexible and customizable kinds
of audio and tactile stimuli.
• Few smartphone applications represent route information from
the starting point to the destination through tactile information.
7

8. Objective
• To investigate the most useful combinations
of audio-tactile cues for visual impairments.
• Developed an audio-tactile map viewer that can
represent real-world route information and POIs
near the route.
• Improved the viewer with customizable audio-
tactile cues based on feedback from test users at
workshops.
• This app is expected to be used to learn routes
before going out.
8

9. Outline
• Background and Objective
• Design of the audio-tactile map viewer
• Evaluation of map viewer
• Conclusion and Future work

10. Design of the audio-tactile map viewer
• The OTASCE Map presents 2D maps using auditory and
tactile stimuli.
• Difference from previous studies
• Customizable audio-tactile cues
• Available for general-purpose devices
• implemented on iPhone
10

11. Demonstration of
OTASCE map
operated by visually
impaired people
11

12. How to use
• User experience:
• Operate by trace the touch screen
• Feedback by Sound effects , voice information, vibration pattern
• Screen objects:
• Points Vertices and branches in a route
• Line Lines on the route
12

13. Two guidance functions
• Free-touch function
• The user can touch routes and POI freely.
• Route-guidance function
• The user can grasp roughly the shape of the route from
the starting point to the destination.
13

14. Outline
• Background and Objective
• Design of the audio-tactile map viewer
• Evaluation of map viewer
• Conclusion and Future work

15. Workshop with visually impaired people
• Objective:
• To investigate the most useful combinations of audio-tactile cues for
people with visual impairments including low vision and blindness.
• Participants
• 3 blind, 2 low vision
• Evaluation procedure
• Repeat the audio-tactile effects customizing and map touching
• Explain and discuss their preferred combinations of audio-tactile cues
• Share / discuss customization results
• Survey about usability
15

16. Views of the system used for workshop
16

17. Participants of the workshop
17
3 blind &
2 low vision

18. Video of
customized
results by the
blind
18

19. Video of
customized
results by the
low vision
19

20. Two types of
audio-tactile
patterns
designed
based on
the results of
the workshop
20

21. Summary
• We designed the OTASCE Map viewer for presenting maps and routes
to visually impaired people using customizable audio-tactile effects.
• We found that the preferred combination of audio-tactile
stimuli varies depending on the degree of a user's disability:
• blind participants tend to prefer a combination of two or
more kinds of cues
• while participants with low vision preferred to use only a
single cue.
21
• This app is expected to be used to help the users learn
routes before going out and grasp surrounding POIs.

22. Future work
• Our final goal
• To develop an audio-tactile mapping tool that allows
blind people to grasp, modify, and create 2D figures
like maps in the real-world. 22
• Future work
• Evaluating two types of audio-tactile patterns quantitatively with a
larger study
• Creating a tutorial mode
• Publishing the OTASCE Map apps
• Extension to mapping tool: prototyping a map-creation tool that
implements combinations of audio-tactile effects and voice cues.

23. Thank you!
Please check the Twitter
for the OTASCE Map release announcement.
@mmatsuo10
https://twitter.com/mmatsuo10