The University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba City, and AEON MALL Launched a Collaborative Experiment

A demonstration experiment of an "Audible Map using Spatial Audio Technology" that realizes geographical information system by the sense of hearing will be conducted at AEON MALL Tsukuba from February 25th to March 1st. It was developed by the research group led by Assistant Professor Keiichi Zempo in the Faculty of Engineering, Information and Systems, University of Tsukuba.

An audible map is expected to provide an effective means for supporting the movements of a visually handicapped person. It enables one to find geographical direction by hearing through showing the direction in an intuitive manner and exact position of the sound. Using human presence detection sensor and Spatial Audio Technology can realize the coexistence of both functions that was hard by using conventional techniques.

Demonstration Experiment Description:

1. Listen to the floor guide from an audible map (information counter, restrooms, etc.)
2. Participant finds the direction of destination (information counter) and starts walking to the direction.
An evaluation will be done by measuring operation time to run a scenario.

Participants:

Visually handicapped people requested by the research group

Period:

February 25 (Mon) and from February 27 (Wed) to March 1 (Fri), 10:00-12:00
February 26 (Tue), 14:00-17:30

Venue:

1st floor around the west court, AEON MALL Tsukuba (Inaoka 66-1, Tsukuba City)

An audible map

An audible map consists of human presence detection sensors and parametric speakers and using Spatial Audio Technology.
Stereophony and ultrasonic sound waves, technologies that can provide the illusion of the position of a sound source, ensure compatibility between instinctive presentation and pinpoint presentation of the sound, which was difficult in conventional technology.
This makes it easier for people to find out what direction something is in, so an audible map is expected to provide an effective means for supporting movement of a visually handicapped person.

Tsukuba Society 5.0 Social Implementation Trial Support Project

http://www.city.tsukuba.lg.jp/shisei/torikumi/kagaku/1005023/1001863.html