A master thesis from Aalborg University
Vibrotactile navigation displays for elderly pedestrians with memory disorders
Author(s)
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2011
Submitted on
2011-05-31
Pages
84 pages
Abstract
This project examines the use of vibrotactile navigation displays for elder pedestrians with memory disorders, and it is found that there are some general issues regarding vibrotactile pedestrian navigation aids which needs to be examined further. To examine these issues a prototype of a wearable vibrotactile display is developed. The prototype is used in a lab test with young adults to determine pattern modulation as a beneficial way of encoding distance in a vibratory signal and that sudden changes in amplitude should be avoided. The developed signal is then implemented in a full navigation implementation on the prototype which is used in a field study with young adults to examine a alternative to turn-by-turn navigation. It is found that there is a correlation between frequency of information displayed, and feeling of security and freedom. The prototype is shown to be perceivable by elderly and determine the need for an amplitude control. Lastly a method for developing a system to intelligently decide when to display information is proposed.
Keywords
Vibration ; Tactile ; Navigation ; Elderly ; Pedestrians ; memory disorder ; GPS ; Landmark ; Medialogy ; Belt ; Perception ; Case Based Reasoning
Documents
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