ClearPath - AR Navigation tool for ASD

There’s been a 178% increase in the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the US since 2000. ASD is a developmental disorder that affects social communication and interaction. Individuals on the spectrum need a reliable and accessible way to navigate as traditional navigation applications fail to accommodate their special needs hampering their mobility and independence.

Through secondary and primary research we tried to grasp the issues faced by individuals with ASD when trying to rely on traditional navigation apps like Google Maps. Further market study helped identify the lack of navigation applications that catered to their special needs.

Autistic people need a reliable and accessible way to navigate as traditional navigation applications fail to accommodate their special needs hampering their mobility and independence.

The solution was designed in the form of a mobile application called ClearPath that attempts to make individuals with ASD self-reliant and independent. Rather than give a 2D overview of the navigation path, the app provides the user with an Augmented View and gives visual cues throughout the navigation while also highlighting important information such as street signs and traffic signals.

Independence

Independence is a crucial value for autistic people as it allows them to live a self-determined life, make their own choices, and pursue their interests without being overly reliant on others. It empowers them to develop their skills, gain confidence, and find their place in the world.

Consistency

Consistency and routines are important values for autistic people as they provide a sense of structure, predictability, and stability in their lives. They can help reduce anxiety, increase comfort levels, and improve overall functioning and well-being.

VR and AR are popular in education and training, offering immersive experiences that enhance learning. They're especially beneficial for people with ASD, providing a safe environment to practice social skills and communication. Scope for Intervention: AR technology can provide individuals with autism with a visual and interactive way to explore and navigate the world around them, which can help to improve their spatial awareness and orientation skills.

The following visual principles were recognized and implemented:

Individuals with autism often experience sensory sensitivities, including color sensitivity that can trigger anxiety or discomfort. To accommodate this, we have ensured that our app's text has a color contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1.

Research conducted by GA Architects suggests that using soft, calm, and dark colors in interior design can help individuals with autism to focus and concentrate for longer periods. We have incorporated this insight into our app design by using colors from this palette, especially for the background, to promote a focused and calming environment.

In addition, we have implemented a visual design style called Glassmorphism during the navigation phase that emphasizes a relaxed, light, and soft aesthetic to reduce visual strain and enhance the user experience during navigation.

ClearPath is a navigation app that helps individuals with autism and learning disabilities navigate safely through the town.

Rather than just giving a 2D overview of the navigation path, the app provides the user with an Augmented View that has visual cues throughout the navigation and highlights the important information they need to assess when navigating on foot.

This feature allows a first-time user to add Peers (friends or family members) that will be granted access to their location. The user can select if they want to provide access to the peer “all the time” or only during certain trips. This helps ensure the safety of the user.

On the Accessibility Filters screen, the user is given certain filters they can toggle to make their navigation experience better. Options such as “Find Quiet Spaces”, “Suggest Safe Routes”, “Detect Moving cars” and so on can help the user tailor a navigation path that will help them feel safe and comfortable.

The home screen allows users with an option to view their upcoming travel schedule for the day. They can also view their saved or previously taken routes.

The home screen also provides them easy access to start navigation by entering the location they wish to go by inputting that location on the search bar.

This feature not only allows the user to look up navigation to a location of choice but also provides them insightful information about the predicted footfall at that specific location and any saved memories the user had when they previously visited these places.

During a running navigation, the application will show the route in an augmented view. It highlights the path they’re meant to take and provides visual cues in the form of arrows that they can follow.

Traffic signals and signboards are highlighted to help the user focus on only the necessary data and filter out the irrelevant stuff.

Along with the visual cues, overlays in the form of modal cards give the user additional information. Floating Action Buttons for Adding Journal Notes, Sharing Location and Adding Journal Audio are located at the bottom right side for quick access.

During the scheduling process, users can see how crowded the destination location would be, during the time and day they had selected based on previous records.

This information helps them plan their activities more effectively and reduce anxiety or stress.

For more details, view the full project on my website!