An Approach for Supporting Space Orientation of the Blind Using Ontologically-Based Object Map

Dariusz Mikulowski, Marek Pilski

Abstract: Mastering skills of spatial orientation is a very important issue for the blind people. However, there are widely available or dedicated systems that support independent movement of them, i.e. the solutions based on GPS-navigation or the use of ultrasonic sonars or cameras, there is the lack of approaches that supports learning of spatial orientation in a smart way by helping blind people with recognition of real objects or assisting them with moving along unknown routes. To make a step forward to fulfill this gap, we propose an approach based on Object Map Ontology and binaural sounds. It allows us to describe unknown objects on the street and shows a new path for the blind user. The core of this proposal is a special ontology that stores knowledge about different objects that can be found in the city and set of binaural sounds that are integrated with these objects. The route that is a sequence of objects taken from the ontology is translated into a series of binaural sounds and auxiliary text descriptions. The preliminary studies have confirmed that blind users such as students but also adults are interested in developing such a solution. Investigations showed that the proposed system would be even useful for sighted trainers who teach spatial orientation. The initial Object Map Ontology that covers an exemplary root was created and expressed as a set of OWL classes, relations, and individuals. The preliminary sound classification was created and a couple of binaural sounds was recorded.