briobahn

This concept was developed as part of the Wearable Futures project and addresses navigation for visually impaired individuals. In cities or larger public spaces, navigation is often guided by ground-level signage, but as one moves further into the city or more remote areas, these indicators almost completely disappear. As a result, smartphones are increasingly used for navigation today. In sports, however, visually impaired individuals are often accompanied by others. With the HSHS module, I question whether independent navigation could also be possible without a guide.
In my example, I explore an extreme use case where the module is applied to skateboarding. Through sound, vibration, and pressure at the joints, athletes can orient themselves better. The goal is not to replace the tactile cane but to provide independent support that helps individuals feel safer and more comfortable while practicing their sport.
Taking a step back, another potential application could involve guiding lines embedded with digital information, which could be read using a tactile cane. This could, for example, enable tourists to navigate through an unfamiliar city or visit landmarks independently.