3D Audio-Tactile Globe Prototype for Blind and Low-Vision Users to Learn Geography

Prototyping

Prototype 1
Aim:
The aim of prototype one was to showing much more realistic change in topography using 3D modeling techniques. This was designed based on the insights gathered from the interview with P1. The prototype involved 3D tactile pieces made by hand using flat printed continent maps and easy-bake polymer clay.

Prototyping Process:
An illustration which describing the prototyping process of prototype 1.
Insights gathered from user testing prototype 1:
- The separate continent pieces allowed P1 to learn about their unique shapes and also relative sizes.
- P1 mentioned that the differences in the ratios of the lower and higher elevations was too subtle to be noticeable and recommended to exaggerate it in the next iteration.
Collage of two images. Image one shows 3D tactile country shapes of USA, Africa, and Australia made using polymer baking clay. Image two shows P1 identifying the 3D tactile pieces in prototype 1. 

a: 3D tactile country shapes of USA, Africa, and Australia made using polymer baking clay.

b: P1 identifying the 3D tactile pieces in prototype 1. 

Prototype 2
Aim:
The aim of prototype 2 was to mould the polymer clay to represent the Earth’s topography, with higher elevation features exaggerated. Rare-earth magnets were used to reattached to the surface of the globe. An average size 12” globe was used a base.

Prototyping Process:
An illustration which describing the prototyping process of prototype 2.
Insights gathered from user testing prototype 2:
- P1 indicated that the exaggerated relief made it easier for him to distinguish between mountains, plateaus and plains.
- P1's feedback indicated that the rare-earth magnets were very effective in reattaching the tangible pieces back to the globe.
- P1 described a need for a mechanism or convention to enable a blind or low-vision user to register the continent pieces back to their appropriate locations after removal. Some type of continuous physical connection (rather than being completely detached) could enable the user to explore a continent shape while still allowing them to trace the continent back to its appropriate location on the globe’s surface.
Collage of three images. Image one shoes curved continent pieces of North America, Europe and Africa made using polymer baking clay.  Image two shoes attaching the rare-earth magnets to the curved continent pieces representing North America and Africa. Image three shows curved continent pieces made using polymer baking clay and rare-earth magnets.

a: Curved continent pieces of North America, Europe and Africa made using polymer baking clay.

b: Attaching the rare-earth magnets to the curved continent pieces representing North America and Africa.

c: Curved continent pieces made using polymer baking clay and rare-earth magnets.

Prototype 3
Aim:
In this prototype, retractable badge reels (small compact cord that is wound onto a spring coil mechanism) were attached to the back of the continents to enable a blind or low-vision user to register the continent pieces back to their appropriate locations after removal.  Each retractable badge reel guides a continent piece to its correct location, while the rare-earth magnet assists in snapping the continent back onto the globe in the appropriate orientation. In this phase, I also introduced audio labels to replicate and test the success of P1’s original use of audio labels in the DIY prototype. I used a Wizard of Oz (WofO) technique where I spoke aloud the continent and country names as user touched the pieces.

Prototyping Process:
An illustration which describing the prototyping process of prototype 3.
Collage of two images. Image one shows a hand attaching the continents to the globe for testing the the use  of retractable badge reels and rare-earth magnets. Image two shoes curved continent pieces made using polymer baking clay, rare-earth magnets and retractable badge reels.

a: Attaching the continents to the globe for testing the the use  of retractable badge reels and rare-earth magnets.

b: Curved continent pieces made using polymer baking clay, rare-earth magnets and retractable badge reels.

Insights gathered from preliminary evaluation of prototype 3:
My third prototype increased my confidence about the potential effectiveness of the features added thus far. To gain broader feedback about the strengths and benefits of this globe, I recruited four new participants along with P1 to test this prototype. After a detailed evaluation session I gathered the following insights:
- Overall, all the participants were enthusiastic about the 3D tangible continents and preferred them over brailed-based world atlas.
- Hand-made clay modelling was very time consuming and less precise. Participants suggested 3D printing the continents which would result in accurate representations of GIS data.
-Some participants suggested using automated voice labeller called PenFriend to provide pre-recorded and clearer audio labels.
- Two participants suggested disregarding the natural tilt of the Earth’s axis, suggesting a straight vertical axis instead. They described how the tilted axis confused them when attempting to locate the north and south poles.
Collage of three images showing three participants testing prototype 3.

Participants testing prototype 3

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