So, we have a new project, and it's completely and utterly different to the first one. No longer revolving around the interaction between senses, but much more about the interaction with an interface itself.
We have to create and design a navigation interface for the Kelburn Campus, to get from one room to another. It can be designed for a mobile phone or for some future technology of our choice.
We did the experiment in class with how an ideal navigation would work. Going off my experiences with that, I definitely want to incorporate some form of map system, alongside a word-based directional system.
We did the experiment in class with how an ideal navigation would work. Going off my experiences with that, I definitely want to incorporate some form of map system, alongside a word-based directional system.
TomTom Navigation System, retrieved from: http://strumors.automobilemag.com/files/2011/04/tomtom-navigation-system-623x389.jpg
A really good example of this are common car-based GPS systems, such as this TomTom system, which incorporates verbal instructions with a map that shows what is ahead of your car. The directional arrows indicate where to go, and are a definitively universal symbol for direction.
It's actually quite intriguing me as to how the arrow came to be such a universal symbol for direction and guidance. Some day I'll research that and find out. Maybe there are some like-minded people out there who have been wondering the same thing.
So, arrows are definitely a must for directions.
Garmin Nav System, image retrieved from: http://www.gpssatnavsystems.co.uk/garmin/garmin-nuvi-205-satellite-navigation-system/
Where the TomTom fails in one respect is where this nifty GPS system makes up. While seeing what you see in real life on the TomTom definitely has it's bonuses (such as being able to compare what you are actually seeing and verify against the navigation system), being able to see the other streets and attractions that around you is really nice. Possibly you want to be able to stop off for coffee along the way and not scout the area all the while being told off by your GPS for unnecessary "Route recalculating!".
Now having a GPS system for outside is all fine and dandy, but GPS doesn't generally work inside buildings, so that system possibly isn't the best.
Luckily for us poor first years, we don't actually have to make a working Navigation System, we just have to design it and create a flash application that functions to a limited degree. One of the ways however that could solve the indoor problem would be to use the cellular network, which can sometimes perforate the walls of buildings and get a better pinpoint on locations.
Another option would be to use infra-red tracking technology from emitters placed within the building. Infra-red radiation isn't dangerous (to my knowledge, at least), and can still be use for location-deriving. This information could feed to a capable phone, and tell the phone where you are relative to the buildings interior. Obviously once you leave the building no more information would be fed to the phone, but that's okay, because we only need it to work indoors.
GOin Navigator for iPhones, image retrieved from: http://www.goin-navigator.com/
This little piece of nifty technology would be a really great way of displaying the location indoors. A stylised, non-technical floor plan, coupled with an arrow- and vector-based makes it a really great system for navigating around indoors. Using a map also allows for other features and points of interest (POIs) to be displayed on the map for the user.
TRX Systems Interface, image retrieved from: http://www.trxsystems.com/trx-systems-blog/?Tag=indoor%20navigation%20system
Compared to this ghastly, non-intuitive method of tracking locations, the iPhone based software is beautifully simple. Sure, the TRX system may offer much more functionality and more options, but in terms of how intuitive the design is, the iPhone based GOin system is much more effective. While I'm sure the two pieces of software serve entirely different purposes, I'm looking at them from a purely aesthetic and interface based point of view.
Since the system doesn't actually have to function on a mobile device, another option would be to make a purely database-based system. This system could have all the rooms in Kelburn listed, and then you could simply pick one as the start point, and one as the end point, and then it calculates the ideal route (or it could retrieve the ideal pre-planned route from its database) to the destination point. This system wouldn't need any kind of location input, and could be further enhanced through the use of written directions that, once completed, bring up the next instruction and advance you on a small map.
This dual-guidance system could be extremely effective, and speak to both types of navigators.
More to come, I think!
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