Initial Prototype

In an effort to gauge potential user's reactions to a wearable form factor and some different user interface ideas we constructed a prototype of a wearable navigation assistant.

      

The prototype is a backpack based wearable computer with an earpiece for audio playback and a two-button interface sewn into the left strap. The concept is that the backpack would contain a wearable computer with GPS equipment for tracking the wearer's location. The computer would know where the user was trying to go and would give the user audio cues and directions based upon their position and heading. All human/computer interaction would takeplace through the audio interface or through the two-buttons sewn into the backpack strap (see image below).

To test the user interface we hooked the earpiece and 2-button interface up to an iPaq. The iPaq in the backpack contains a number of prerecorded sound files. The sound files consist of navigation instructions of varying complexity and style. We designed some software to hook up two iPaqs via an ad-hoc wireless connection and allow a user to control the iPaq in the backpack. In this way we were able to mimic the functionality of a full system by following a user and playing audio cues to guide them to a destination.

      

The Next Step

As a result of reactions to this prototype we developed the Travel Bag system as a next step. Follow the link above to see a description of that system.