2025-11-14 –, Node
Using Soundscape as an example, how we can use OpenStreetMap data for audio only exploration and navigation.
Unsurprisingly, OpenStreetMap data is tailored towards being used in visual maps. However, there are use cases where the mapping data isn't displayed on a screen but is described via speech. Using the example of the Soundscape Android app this talk will describe some of the challenges that this presents.
As the user moves around, the Soundscape app provides an audio description of the nearby surroundings with the aim of helping people with visual impairment navigate and explore. Transforming OpenStreetMap data efficiently into this description illustrates how useful some tags are that often have little or no impact on visual maps.
app,audio,tagging
Affiliation:Scottish Tech Army
My background is as an embedded software engineer specialising in audio and video products both for consumer and professional applications. Maps were a hobby until 12 months ago when I started working on the Soundscape Android app. The app aims to help people with visual impairment navigate and explore the world and is based on a groundbreaking iOS app.
The app is being developed with the Scottish Tech Army, a group who match up tech industry volunteers with community organisations that are in need tech help.