HapNav

This project aims to create an engaging and accessible game experience for the blind and visually impaired community. By harnessing the power of Arduino, this innovative game leverages multiple modalities to provide a unique gaming experience. It not only serves as an exciting game but also contributes to the field of accessibility research.

If you'd like to experiment with the prototype, you can interact with the design using this interactive wokwi sketch.

HapNav Game Overview

HapNav challenges players to navigate a pre-defined map entirely by touch and intuition. Equipped with a joystick module, players rely on a vibration motor for feedback, indicating whether they stay within the intricate pathways of the designated route.

Core Gameplay: Trial-and-Error Learning for Intuitive Mastery

At the heart of HapNav's gameplay lies a unique trial-and-error approach. As players embark on the journey, they decipher the shapes, bends, and twists of the map, progressively forming an intuitive and detailed mental image.

Mission Design: Skillful Navigation and Spatial Awareness

Your primary mission in HapNav is clear: skillfully navigate the map, reaching the endpoint while staying true to the pre-established path. This objective tests your spatial awareness and motor skills, encouraging the development of a deep familiarity with the virtual terrain.

Freedom to Explore: Unconstrained Gaming

Unlike many traditional games, HapNav liberates players from health systems, time limits, or other inhibiting factors. The game's core intention is to offer a platform for unrestricted exploration and learning within its two-dimensional world. Rely solely on your mind's image of the map, fostering a sense of freedom as you navigate the virtual landscape.

Inclusivity: A New Dimension for Visually Impaired Players

The primary benefit for users lies in the formation of a detailed mental model encapsulating the map's intricacies. HapNav introduces an intriguing element where visually impaired individuals are encouraged to 'see' or cultivate a spatial representation of the map by actively navigating it. This adds a distinctive layer to the gaming experience, enabling users to develop a two-dimensional understanding of the synthetic environment.

Analogical Metaphor: Intuitively Navigating a Stylized World

Drawing on an analogical metaphor, HapNav invites players to intuitively 'see' and maneuver through a stylized world, enhancing their ability to construct mental images and navigate with heightened spatial intuition.

Empowering the Visually Impaired: Novel Interaction with Digital Environments

The cultivation of a cognitive map empowers players to heighten their spatial awareness within this compact virtual realm. This innovative approach fosters a deeper level of engagement and inclusion for individuals with visual impairments, offering a novel way to interact with and perceive digital environments. Immerse yourself in HapNav's dynamic and immersive gaming experience, where sensory feedback, strategic navigation, and the trial-and-error learning process combine to create a captivating journey. Get ready to experience gaming in a whole new dimension with HapNav.

Here's a brief overview of the game:

Game Objective

The primary aim of the game is to successfully conquer the intricate maze-like level design, all while relying solely on tactile cues and without any visual assistance. The player's progress is determined by the absence of vibrations in the controller. Whenever the player veers off the intended path, the vibration motor responds with varying intensity, offering real-time feedback about their proximity to the desired route that constitutes the map's level design. Upon reaching the end of the level, a triumphant vibration sequence will mark their victory.