Ecological Metaphor

A design principle in sonification and auditory display where the mapping between data and sound aligns with users' real-world sensory and cognitive experience. For example, mapping obstacle distance to pulse rate (like sonar or parking sensors), height to pitch (higher obstacles produce higher sounds), or object size to reverberation (larger spaces create more echo). Ecologically valid mappings feel intuitive and require less training than arbitrary associations, making them essential for real-time assistive technologies where users cannot consult documentation.