Spatial learning and navigation using a virtual verbal display

“Within the context of navigation, verbal guidance has shown to be effective [22] [23].”

“…typically less emphasis has been placed on using assistive devices for the specific purpose of training spatial cognitive skills that are crucial to promote more efficient travel and independent navigation [for examples of studies in the effort, see (Giudice and Tietz, 2008; Giudice et al., 2010)].”

“Similar transfer paradigms have proven effective for supporting accurate navigation in large physical indoor layouts after learning in the corresponding virtual space using verbal and auditory interfaces (Giudice and Tietz, 2008; Giudice et al., 2010; Connors et al., 2014).”

“…2008a, 2008b; Lee & Tversky, 2005; Mani & Johnson-Laird, 1982; Schneider & Taylor, 1999; Taylor & Tversky, 1992a, 1992b), and for online navigation (Giudice et al., 2007, 2010; Meilinger, 2005; Pazzaglia & De Beni, 2001; Tversky & Lee, 1999; but see Wanet-Defalque, Vanlierde, & Michaux, 2001).”

“…and mobility knowledge between virtual and real environments, at least to a certain extent, is well established, including for users who are blind [2 – 6], these worlds can be used for familiarization with an unknown environment virtually before going there physically, e.g., via Google-Street-view.”

“It requires extra mental effort to interpret the map and associate it with egocentric perception of the environment [6], [7], largely owing to the different mental mechanisms for processing allocentric and egocentric information [8].”

“Since our findings reinforce earlier research showing that non-visual egocentric navigation using auditory and haptic cues can attain exceptional accuracy [28, 63, 71], future work could consider continuing to leverage this method to support BLV users.”

“normally anchor the user’s location on a 2D map, which requires the users to interpret the map and associate it with the egocentric perception of the environment [18].”

“Tactile and haptic information is central for blind and visually impaired navigation and for cognitive map formation without visual access (Giudice, 2018; Giudice et al., 2010, 2020; Ottink et al., 2022; Schinazi et al., 2016).”

“People with permanent or temporary visual impairment were used to evaluate the effects of different auditory display modes in terms of spatial perception [3] [4], route guidance [5] [6] [7] [8] [9], spatial learning [10] [11], and cognitive loads [12].”

“The research takes place in the context of a Virtual Environment (VE); skills gained in VEs can transfer to real world instances (Giudice et al. 2010).”