MultiNav: a gamified multisensory navigation system to help blind and visually impaired people
Official title: Project MultiNav: A gamified multisensory training and navigation system for blind and visually impaired people
Funded at University of Maine Orono · NIH-11365087 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new smartphone-based program uses game-like training and multisensory cues to help people who are blind or visually impaired learn and navigate their environments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maine Orono NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Orono, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $436,774 |
| NIH project number | 5R61EY037503-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365087 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with blindness or severe visual impairment who use smartphones and are willing to test a new assistive technology.
✕Less likely to help
Participants without access to smartphones or who cannot use multisensory cues may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to combine map learning with real-time in-situ guidance to create a more complete navigation experience for blind and visually impaired individuals. It will develop an integrated multisensory navigation app that connects pre-journey learning with in-the-moment assistance. The team plans to put the app through user-centered design and testing to ensure it is usable and meaningful in daily life and promotes independence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could make everyday navigation safer and easier for people who are blind or visually impaired.
How similar studies have gone: Previous AT efforts show that integrated, user-centered navigation tools can improve independence, but this approach is novel in its multisensory integration and gamified learning.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maine Orono
Orono, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Giudice, Nicholas a — University of Maine Orono
- Study coordinator: Giudice, Nicholas a
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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.