Enhanced Auditory Reality Scout

Aim and goal

Projektets huvudsakliga mål är att utveckla en demonstrator som visar hur guidande ljud kan nyttjas i framtida mobilitetstjänster i olika typer av användningsfall. Demonstratorn utvärderats i en realistisk miljö med användare med olika typer av funktionsförutsättningar. Projektet kommer även ta fram de systemarkitekturskrav krävs för att realisera en produkt som bygger på projektets resultat. 

Challenge

The main goal of the project is to develop a demonstrator that shows how guiding sounds can be utilized in future mobility services in various types of use cases. The demonstrator will be evaluated in a realistic environment with users with different types of functional conditions. The project will also develop the system architecture requirements needed to realize a product based on the project's results.

Solution

The project will develop a headphone-based prototype with 3D sound that can guide the user and enhance the user experience in all parts of the journey, from the time a transport is booked until the user reaches a destination. The work will answer the following overarching questions:

• What are the typical use cases for mobility services and related apps where guided sound interaction is most beneficial? 
• How should the sound interaction be designed to be maximally guiding and safe, while also being non-intrusive, intuitive, and pleasant
• What might a system architecture look like to enable the project's use cases, and what additional requirements are needed to scale up to a production environment?

Solutions will be developed for a broad public, but with a particular focus on individuals with visual impairments. The work will concentrate on various types of user scenarios. At least one scenario will focus on a journey to a tourism industry. In this scenario, the project will explore how the services of the tourism industry can be integrated with transportation to create new types of valuable and positive experiences.

Effect

The project aims to make shared mobility more attractive and safer, so that more people can and will want to use the services in the future. This will contribute to more efficient resource use, as well as reduced traffic congestion and environmental impact. The project will also contribute to the development of new business models for inclusive mobility services. Services that focus on supporting the user during the journey and creating a better experience prior to arrival at the destination or the next mode of transport.