Abstract
Currently, the visually impaired find it difficult to use mobility support facilities because they depend on ambient environment such as ambient sound and snow cover. Further, people who acquired visual impairment in the later stages of life also find it difficult to use these facilities. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to develop a walking guidance system using 3D sounds that will not be influenced by the surrounding environment and will be easy to use. Further, we verified the induction effect in the blindfold state and the ambient sound. This system was implemented with a head mount display that is capable of producing 3D sound. Under a visual restriction environment, blindfolded participants were asked to walk toward a real or 3D guiding sound with three types of ambient sounds, and then, we measured the walking locus. We found that the 3D sound tends to provide veering tendency opposite of the ambient sound. However, the guiding accuracy of the 3D sound is similar to that of real sound.
