Maps that talk and feel: tactile and audio maps to help visually impaired people navigate
Official title: Maps as a service: A systematic approach to the production of tactile and audio/vibrational maps for visually impaired users
Funded at University of California Santa Cruz · NIH-11381853 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project to create tactile and vibration/voice-assisted maps that help blind and visually impaired people understand surroundings and navigate new places.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Cruz NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Cruz, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $355,157 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY035433-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381853 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults who are blind or have significant vision loss and who travel independently or plan to do so.
✕Less likely to help
Those who do not use maps or travel independently may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop accessible maps that use touch and sound to convey spatial information for blind users. Researchers will create standardized tactile symbols and vibration/audio cues, and test how well users can learn routes before traveling. The work will involve online map generation, hardware prototypes, and user feedback to improve how maps communicate location and distance. The team will collaborate with blind participants to ensure the tools meet real-world needs and safety concerns. Results could lead to more confident independent travel for visually impaired individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, visually impaired people could navigate unfamiliar areas more safely and independently.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise for tactile and multimodal maps, with ongoing development toward scalable, on-demand map generation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Manduchi, Roberto — University of California Santa Cruz
- Study coordinator: Manduchi, Roberto
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.