An advantage of virtual maps is that they can be read without the effort of producing real maps. However, the displays available for their reading cannot provide information comparable in efficiency with the information available to bare fingers reading real maps. In spite of this, the potential benefits of virtual maps for visually impaired readers motivate studies of the possibilities of improving their efficiency. One display providing audio-tactile reading of such maps is the VTPlayer (Virtouch Ltd, Jerusalem) presenting tactile information via two 4 x 4 matrices of pins located on a mouse, in addition to auditory information. An earlier study of one map-reading task (locating the states on a map of USA) suggested that the tactile information via these matrices did not add to the efficiency based on the information obtained from moving the mouse and from the auditory presentation of the state names. The present experiment investigated the possibilities of improving the efficiency by changing some properties of the tactile and audio-tactile information. The efficiency was improved when the original tactile texture within the states was eliminated, probably because that change made borders more apparent. No improvement was found with the elimination of an original delay of the auditory information relative to the tactile information when a state was entered. These changes demonstrate both potentials and problems concerning improvement of this kind of device. More studies are needed for a final judgment about their usefulness for the reading of virtual maps, especially about other kinds of map-reading tasks.
For further information, see:
Jansson, G., Juhasz, I. & Cammilton, A. (2006). Reading virtual maps with a haptic mouse: Effects of some modifications of the tactile and audio-tactile information. British Journal of Visual Impairment, 2006 24, 60-66.
Prior knowledge of topic assumed: Low
Contains advanced technical content: Yes
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