Marina van Ekkel
Optimization of echolocation in orienatation and mobility
For blind or visually impaired people the ability to move safely through the world is of vital importance. Echolocation is a technique with great potential for visually impaired people. By actively producing tongue clicks and listening to the returning echoes, a spatial representation of the surroundings will emerge based on the reflected auditory information. Objects can be detected and information regarding their position, size, shape and density can be obtained.
In this project, which is a collaboration with the Technical University Eindhoven and the University of Antwerp, research will be conducted on the role of both the physical characteristics of the emitted click-signals as well as the click-strategies used in localization and orientation. Furthermore, we will try to gain more insight in the personal characteristics that may contribute to the success of echolocation. The goal of this research project is to provide guidelines for an echolocation training based on the scientific results of the present project, in close deliberation with professionals working in the rehabilitation clinics.
