Suitable Body Parts for Vibration Feedback in Walking Navigation Systems

Abstract

Walking navigation systems are improving in accuracy, and user reliance on such systems is increasing. However, most of these systems rely on visual and audio information which may not always be convenient and sufficient in mobile conditions. At the same time, vibration feedback is gaining attention as desirable feedback for mobile situations because it can provide non-visual information to users and is less affected by outside environmental factors and thus not so susceptible to interference from extraneous environmental noise. This study investigates appropriate body parts for wearable vibration feedback for walking navigation systems. Based on the study results, suitable body parts and implications for designing wearable vibration systems are presented.