ITOIP (tactile interactions for information, presence and wayfinding) aims at designing a new mobile tactile interface in order to improve the accessibility of “real” and “virtual” places. This project is based on the Tactos technology that enables to transform on screen graphics into tactile feelings. It aims at developing a set of useful applications for all users and especially for visually impaired or blind people.
The spread of touch screen enabled smartphones offers a wide range of new applications for the Tactos technology. Exploring the new possibilities of tactile feedback to design new ways of interacting with technologies is the aim of the ITOIP project. Our interests are focused on three kind of applications:
- Wayfinding and maps
- Information
- Presence
The Tactos technology
The Tactos technology uses piezoelectric braille cells stimulator in order to enable users to explore on screen graphics. This device have been used in several context like in geometry teaching for instance.
With a pen tablet or a touch screen, the user controls the cursor movments. Tactos give her a tactile feedback according to the pixels under the cursor. This way, and by the active exploration of the screen, the user can recognize shapes and get access to graphical contents.
Begining from simple shape (line, square), to more complex ones (circle, curves), the user can in few times get access to new ways of using computers (maps exploration, geography teaching, games).
Related research articles:
Gapenne O., Rovira K., Ali Ammar A. et Lenay C. (2003) Tactos : Special computer interface for the reading and writing of 2D forms in blind people, In C.Stephanidis (Ed.), Universal Access in HCI, Inclusive Design in the Information Society, London, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, pp. 1270-1274.
Deschamps, L., Rovira, K., Lenay, C. & Gapenne, O. (2009). The conception of a tactile Internet : from analysing the use of a perceptual supplementation device (Tactos) to the elaboration of the Intertact project. CVHI 2009, M.A. Hersh
The Tactos system has led to numerous publications in international conferences and review. Read more on the COSTECH website.
ITOIP Partners
The ITOIP project is funded by a grant from Conseil Régional de Picardie, France.
ITOIP gathers the COSTECH CRED, Heudiasyc and Roberval research labs from the University of Technology of Compiègne, the ESAD Arts & Design school of Amiens, and APICADEV (Association PICarde des Aveugles et DEficients Visuels) with the aim to improve accessibility of “real” and “virtual” places for all and for visually impaired or blind people.
