DotBot

Abstract

The design of the white cane, the most used mobility aid for visually impaired, has not changed significantly since the mid-20th century. New concepts and technological solutions have failed to catch on. However, the cane seems unappealing and outdated to some potential users. Margot Scheltema, the initiator of this graduation project, is a future cane user. She feels that the current cane design is alien from her identity and she feels reluctant to use it. She is not alone: due to the social stigma, many cane users feel self-conscious when using the device, some even decide not to use it, despite the mobility limitations resulting from such decision. Research After the initial desk research phase, field research was conducted to explore questions of VIP mobility. The process contributed to a high level of empathy for VIPs. Autoethnographic studies were conducted in collaboration with Thijs te Velde, to build a base of self-experience concerning VIP mobility struggles. Through the collaboration with Visio Den Haag and Margot Scheltema, different perspectives were represented in the research data. The most important mobility struggles and attitudes concerning mobility aids were identified. Positive aspects of VIP life and the inherent dilemmas were also collected. The design solution The Dot Bot is a navigation aid consisting of a network of location-specific navigational and environmental information nodes (Dots) accessible to a specific user group. The information is stored in the form of audio descriptions created by the userbase. This way virtual DotBot community facilitates the sharing of commuting know-how. The information Dots make use of existing VIP relevant infrastructural elements in the tactile paving. It is aimed to enhance the perks of being part of the VIP community, cultivating feelings of connectedness and belonging. The semantic qualities of the cane are preserved, to keep it recognisable and ensure user safety in commute. However, there are moments where the effects of impairment are preferred to keep private. For this reason, I aimed to limit the need to ask for directions and aid VIPs in cultivating pride and the feeling of competence through exercising their ability to navigate autonomously. The way the information is stored and accessed supports this: for the outsider eye accessing information from a road stud on the tactile paving is invisible. During the evaluation phase, several aspects of the DotBot concept were tested with VIP participants. In the first validation session, insights on information needs during navigation were collected. In the second validation session the envisioned interaction was evaluated by the help of functional prototypes, and feedback types were also investigated. Further studies would be needed to establish the optimal Dot density in vibrotactile feedback pattern and intensity.