Daniela Schulz (BU)

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Daniela Schulz (BU) seconded to the muZIEum in Nijmegen, NL.

While humans with visual impairments are able to navigate predictable environments without risking any injuries, accidents are liable to happen when environments become unpredictable.  Therefore, our goal is to provide novel technological solutions for autonomous mobility in unpredictable environments by studying human navigation in such environments.  We plan to observe humans with and without visual impairments as they perform a straight-line or map-based navigation task, in a real-world or lab-based environment.  In preparation of these experiments, I seconded to the muZIEum in Nijmegen, NL, which is an interactive museum that teaches about blindness, to observe their operations, speak with the visually impaired guides, discuss our experiments and planned measurements, and experience their world from within.   

Excited to see the muZIEum!

Diving into the world of blindness.  A visually impaired guide working for the muZIEum made me experience a 'train station' and a 'bar' in a 100% dark simulation room at the muZIEum.  What an experience!  I was amazed to realize that crystal-clear vision can be evoked in complete darkness through the use of other senses.

Guide dogs help blind people 'see'.  Not all people with visual impairments can have a guide dog, though.  Can you tell that the person in front of you is blind?

I learned so much by interviewing the blind guides of the muZIEum.  Many creative ideas for new technologies have sprung from it, and I will be back for more questions.  Thank you very much!