In this blog post, we are going to discuss about different kinds of interactions in wayFinding applications.
1. Overview
The term interaction comes from Human-Computer interaction. Instead of defining what is interaction, we need to note that the important thing is that the user is interacting with the computer in order to accomplish something(http://mysite.verizon.net/resnx4g7/PCD/WhatIsInteractionDesign.html).
In wayFinding application, user's goal is to reach his/her destination. Currently, there are significant number of wayFinding applications available to us. For example, GoogleMap, AR Navi NUS, and Wikitude Drive (Augmented Reality). We will try to assess each of these wayFinding applications in terms of user interaction.
The most widely used wayFinding application over the internet and mobile devices would be the Google Maps. The interface of Google Maps is simple and user friendly. Users can view the map of the whole city, and learn the exact location of themselves in the city. Simply key in the start point and end point you want, the Google Maps would highlight a suggested route for you. Furthermore, Google Maps can also show you nearby restaurants and gas stations which can be very convenient to us.
2. AR Navi NUS
AR Navi NUS is a new indoor wayFinding application in NUS which implements Augmented Reality (AR) technology to give a better user interface. It gives us a 3D image of NUS buildings so that users can locate their destination within the buildings easily. However this technology is not mature yet, there is a need for the users to correct their current locations with markers spread all over the campus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxyT7Bu_KvE
3. Wikitude Drive (AR)
Wikitude Drive is a new wayFinding application for drivers and pedestrians. In terms of its interaction with users, Wikitude offers the most natural interaction. Users do not have to read a map, just follow the line. Users never have to take their eyes off the road so it is safer. Lastly, it is simply more fun and cool! It can also change to pedestrian mode and the interface is also the same as in driving mode.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-0cuqeUvCQ
4. Future wayFinding Applications
In the future, when AR technology becomes more mature, optical see-through display can be used in one-for-all wayFinding application. User simply wear the optical device and see the real world overlaid with virtual objects directing them to their destination. With speech recognition, user can simply voice out where they want to go and the device will show the direction directly on top of user vision of real world. In our opinion it would be the most natural way to interact with user for navigation.
optical see-through display
http://www.se.rit.edu/~jrv/research/ar/introduction.html
Conclusion
As we have discussed above, we can see different types of wayFinding applications, such as indoor, outdoor, driving, walking wayFinding applications. Each of them offers different user interactions and is suitable for a specific situation. There has not been a one-for-all wayFinding application up till now. In the future, however, with advancements in HCI such as AR technology and voice recognition, wayFinding will be more natural, convenient and accurate.
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