Jakub Krukar

Wayfinding Through Orientation

ABSTRACT Dominant approaches in computer-assisted wayfinding support adhere to the deeply problematic principles of turn-by-turn navigation. In this article, we suggest a new approach called “Wayfinding Through Orientation,” which supports the acquisition of spatial knowledge and cognitive mapping for advancing the user’s spatial orientation. Being oriented on one’s way is a prerequisite to enabling people to verify instructions and to incorporate new spatial information into their existing knowledge structure. In three studies described in this article we first present empirical evidence that people can be supported in survey knowledge acquisition through suitable wayfinding instructions. Consequently, we explore orientation information in human wayfinding instructions. Finally, we outline how orientation information can be communicated within a prototypically implemented navigation assistance system.

Investigating Representations of Places with Unclear Spatial Extent in Sketch Maps

This study analyzes different ways of representing vaguely defined places from a set of sketch maps specifically when used in giving route instructions. A total of 30 participants who are familiar with the study area were asked to sketch a route map consisting of pre-identified set of places. The task involved two groups: intra-city route and inter-city route. Sketch maps were analyzed using a previously developed classification scheme to investigate how places with unclear spatial extent are represented. These were then classified into different category of places: district, site and neighborhood. Results showed that labels and regular shapes are the most preferred, as opposed to other types of sketch representations, regardless of the category of place. It also occurred that a specific place can be classified under one or more categories, which influences the type of sketch representation used.

Applying HCI Methods and Concepts to Architectural Design (Or Why Architects Could Use HCI Even If They Don’t Know It)

The act of designing a building is indirectly, but conceptually very closely, linked to the user experience of its final outcome. It is this experience which often constitutes a major criterion for assessing the quality of the architect’s work. And yet, it would be a gross overstatement to suggest that architectural design is a user-centered process.

Visualizing Location Uncertainty on Mobile Devices: Cross-Cultural Differences in Perceptions and Preferences

Location uncertainty is often ignored but a key context parameter for location-based services. The standard way of visualizing location uncertainty on mobile devices is using a concentric circle. However, the impact of different visual variables (shape, size, boundary, middle dot, color) of this standard visualization on users is not well understood. There is a potential for misinterpretation, particularly across cultures. We ran a study that was previously conducted in Germany (N=32) in Sri Lanka (N=20) to investigate how users perceive different visualizations of location uncertainty on mobile devices. In particular, we investigated the impact of the four graphic dimensions, shape, boundary, middle dot and size. We identified consistencies and inconsistencies concerning perceptions of users regarding visualizations of location uncertainty across cultures. We also quantified the impact of different visualizations on the perception of users. Based on the consistencies between different visualizations and between the two cultures, we derived guidelines for visualizing location uncertainty that help developers in aligning location uncertainty with the perceptions of users. We also highlight the need for further research on cultural differences (and similarities) regarding how visualizations of location uncertainty impact the perceptions of users.

Architectural cognition and behavior

Architectural cognition is the set of perceptual and mental processes involved in the interaction between a building and its users. The following chapter reviews these phenomena, starting with the assumption that one of the key determinants of which processes are involved is the user’s physical relation to the building’s structure and the user’s movement (or lack thereof) through it. This results in a framework where cognitive processes involved in the dynamic exploration (various aspects of wayfinding) are reviewed separately from the ones possibly occurring from a single viewpoint (such as the appreciation of a facade). The chapter considers behavioral studies in the field of spatial cognition as well as architectural writings addressing the experience of (potential) building visitors. Research methods useful in the experimental design and formal analysis of architectural structures are emphasized; among them, space syntax and virtual reality have been particularly fruitful in recent studies of architectural cognition. Mobile eye-tracking and remote psychophysiological measures show interesting promise for the near future.

Distinguishing Sketch Map Types: A Flexible Feature-Based Classification

Sketch maps are often used as a means of assessing participants’ knowledge of spatial environments. However, the evaluation of sketch maps is challenging as they differ in many aspects and can be scored on many possible criteria. In particular, the classification of sketch maps into different types can be problematic, because participants rarely follow any of the identifiable formats consistently. This paper presents a set of criteria that can be used to score a sketch map on two dimensions simultaneously: its “route-likeness” and its “survey-likeness”. The scoring is based on the presence or absence of six features for route-conveying information and six features of conveying survey information. In the present study, reliability estimates and factor structure of the approach were examined with 460 sketch maps with a high variability of spatial elements included. Results show that the two dimensions are largely independent. Sketch maps are found that score high on the route dimensions but low on the survey dimension and vice versa, as well as sketch maps that score high (or low) on both dimensions. It is concluded that the proposed two-dimensional scoring is useful for analysing sketch maps, however, results will also depend on the task and instruction when assessing participants’ knowledge of spatial environments.

Perspectives in Externalizations of Mental Spatial Representations

Place is a core component of human spatial knowledge and therefore a central topic in GI Science. People use externalizations of mental spatial representations to communicate about space. Textual descriptions and graphical descriptions are the two main modes of communication. In this paper a distinction of three scales of spatial descriptions is assumed and textual and graphical descriptions are collected and analyzed in order to investigate the differences between the spatial descriptions. Thereby the focus lies on the properties and perspectives of the descriptions. It is found that within the textual descriptions people tend to not consistently use one perspective, but switch perspectives and predominantly apply the route perspective. For the graphical descriptions there has been no clear categorization of description perspectives. However, there are differences in the properties of these descriptions that indicate different perspectives.

Increasing the Density of Local Landmarks in Wayfinding Instructions for the Visually Impaired

Multiple approaches to support non-visual navigation have been proposed, of which traditional auditory turn-by-turn navigational systems achieved high popularity. Despite being modified according to the needs of visually impaired users, the underlying dataset communicated to the wayfinder is sourced primarily from traditional POI databases which are of limited use to blind navigators. This work proposes the use of environmental features spontaneously detected by blind navigators during their everyday locomotion as ‘local landmarks’ for enriching auditory navigational instructions. We report results of a survey which served to identify such environmental features. Consequently, we propose a list of potential local landmarks for the blind. Next, in a usability study, we demonstrate that enriching traditional turn-by-turn auditory instructions with local landmarks can improve the subjective satisfaction and confidence in navigation. Results indicate that the improvements seem to be achieved even without increasing the subjective complexity of the instructions. Finally we discuss how using local landmarks to enrich auditory navigational instructions can benefit visually impaired users.

Landmark-Based Navigation in Cognitive Systems

The current special issue of KI Journal brings together a collection of articles related to landmark-based navigation. This includes the problems of identifying suitable landmark candidates in a scalable manner, selecting landmarks which are relevant to the navigating agent, communicating their presence on maps, and integrating them into location-based services.

Indoor Wayfinding: Interview with Christoph Hölscher and Ruth Conroy Dalton

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