Veronika designed the Dot Bot, a navigation aid consisting of a network of location-specific navigation and environmental information nodes (Dots) accessible to a specific user group.
The design of the white cane, the most widely used mobility aid for the visually impaired, has not changed significantly since the mid-20th century. New concepts and technological solutions have not been adopted. However, some potential users perceive the white cane as unattractive and outdated.
After initial desk research, field research was carried out to explore VIP (Visually Impaired People) mobility issues. The process contributed to a high level of empathy with VIPs. Autoethnographic studies were carried out in collaboration with Thijs te Velde to build a base of self-experience of VIP mobility issues. Through the collaboration with Visio Den Haag and Margot Scheltema, different perspectives were represented in the research data. The main mobility struggles and attitudes towards mobility aids were identified. The project also identified positive aspects of VIP life and the inherent dilemmas.
The Dot Bot is a navigation aid consisting of a network of location-specific navigation and environmental information nodes (Dots) accessible to a specific user group. The information is stored in the form of audio descriptions created by the user base. In this way, the virtual DotBot community facilitates the sharing of commuting know-how. The information Dots make use of existing VIP relevant infrastructure elements in the tactile paving.
