Room Acoustic Simulation for Improved Spatial Perceptual Understanding using Real-Time Immersive Navigation – RASPUTIN

RASPUTIN is a fundamental collaborative research project (PRCE) at the intersection of « Sciences et Technologies Numérique » and « Psychologie », aiming at reducing the cognitive complexity of navigation by the visually impaired in new interior surroundings through digital simulations and virtual auditory reality explorations as preparation and mental map construction exercises. The objective promotes accessibility to information by all, and from anywhere.
With training, it is possible to acoustically judge the distance to walls or other sound reflective objects, a skill learned by many visually impaired individuals. RASPUTIN is concerned with investigating the use of perceptually realistic room acoustic simulations for assisting visually impaired individuals in the preparation of indoor navigation.

Simulation algorithms have been improving in their ability to predict acoustic metrics. In real-time VR systems, where sound source, listener, and room architecture vary in unpredicted ways, investigations of perceptual quality/realism have been hindered by algorithm simplifications.
RASPUTIN addresses fundamental questions of spatial perception, memory, acoustics, and signal processing related to functional VR room simulations while addressing psychoacoustic and cognitive impacts of rendering quality. Evaluations will consider added benefits in terms of navigation speed, precision, improved self-confidence, and sense of security.

The research goals of RASPUTIN are fourfold: first, a significant advancement in understanding the fundamental capacities in spatial architectural perception and memory through auditory experience; second, the improvement and integration of a real-time room acoustic simulation algorithm into an open source research virtual reality platform; third, the evaluation of interactive room acoustic simulations as a planning/training aid for visually impaired individuals; and fourth, the improvement of autonomy of visually impaired people.

The RASPUTIN project addresses the advancement of Human-Computer Interaction through the development of virtual auditory environments that improve training and learning for the handicapped as well as improving access and understanding to public sites.

The aim of the project is in full accordance with the joint challenge « Société de l’information et de la communication / Sociétés innovantes, intégrantes et adaptative - La révolution numérique : rapports aux savoirs et à la culture » concerning « Education et formation », with a clear fundamental research collaboration between « Sciences et Technologies Numérique » and « Psychologie ». RASPUTIN aims at reducing the cognitive complexity of navigation by the visually impaired in new interior surroundings through digital simulations and virtual auditory reality explorations as preparation and mental map construction exercises.