Navigating a new home or any new environment can be a huge challenge for the blind, but a new virtual game may be able to help the visually impaired experience this in a whole new way. Researchers from the Harvard Medical School have developed a virtual game that is meant to help blind find their way through new environments, they have accomplished this by using computer generated layouts of public buildings.
The participants that they have been working with say that this is a great success so far. They use a keyboard to interact with the virtual game instead of trying to enhance vision the game is using auditory cues to stimulate and help orient the user in these virtual environments.
This is a major breakthrough and the visually impaired will eventually be able to utilize programs like this to map out areas that they will frequent in advance.
Location-Mapping Virtual Games
This Virtual Game Helps the Visually Impaired Experience Seeing
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Navigation Assistance - Virtual games and auditory cues are being used to help the visually impaired navigate new environments, presenting an opportunity for further advancements in virtual assistance and navigation technology.
2. Computer-generated Layouts - The use of computer-generated layouts in a virtual game can assist the visually impaired in navigating public buildings and highlight the potential for incorporating this technology into other fields, such as architecture and construction.
3. Auditory-based Interactions - The success of this virtual game using auditory cues demonstrates the potential for further developments in virtual experiences that rely on sound for navigation and interaction, creating opportunities for the gaming and entertainment industries.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - Virtual navigation assistance can improve the lives of the visually impaired, highlighting opportunities for further innovation in healthcare technology and accessibility.
2. Architecture - The use of computer-generated layouts in a virtual game to navigate buildings presents potential disruptions in the architecture industry, including the introduction of technology that can enhance building layouts for accessibility.
3. Gaming & Entertainment - Auditory-based interactions in virtual games can create new experiences for players and push the boundaries of entertainment technology, paving the way for further advancements in the gaming industry.