Glossary

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A* Path Planning(also: A-star algorithm, A* search)

A classic graph-search algorithm (Hart, Nilsson, and Raphael, 1968) that finds the shortest or lowest-cost path between two points by combining the cost already travelled with a heuristic estimate of the remaining distance. In assistive indoor navigation for blind travellers, A*…

AR Marker(also: Fiducial marker, Augmented reality marker)

A printed visual pattern (often a square with a distinctive black-and-white code) placed in the environment that a smartphone or AR headset camera can recognise to determine its own position and orientation with high precision. In blind-navigation research, AR markers are placed…

Accessibility Map(also: Accessible Route Map, Wheelchair Accessibility Map)

A map that displays information about the physical accessibility features and barriers of an environment, such as the presence of curb ramps, steps, slopes, surface conditions, and accessible entrances. Accessibility maps are essential tools for people with mobility…

Accessible Pedestrian Signal(also: APS, Audible Pedestrian Signal, Audible Traffic Signal)

A device integrated into pedestrian signal systems at traffic intersections that communicates walk and don't-walk information to pedestrians who are blind or have low vision through audible tones, verbal messages, vibrotactile surfaces, or a combination of these. APS devices…

Accessible Pedestrian Signal(also: APS, Audible Pedestrian Signal, Talking Traffic Signal)

A traffic control device that communicates pedestrian signal information in non-visual formats, typically through audible tones, speech messages, or vibrating surfaces, enabling blind and visually impaired pedestrians to know when it is safe to cross a street and in which…

Accessible Routing(also: Accessible Navigation, Barrier-Free Routing, Accessible Wayfinding)

The calculation of travel routes that account for accessibility barriers and the specific mobility needs of disabled pedestrians. Unlike standard navigation that optimises solely for distance or time, accessible routing considers factors such as kerb heights, stairs, surface…

Adaptive Navigation(also: Adaptive Navigation Support)

A technique in which a system dynamically modifies the presentation of navigational elements (such as links, menus, or breadcrumbs) based on user characteristics, behaviour, or context. In accessibility applications, adaptive navigation can reorder, annotate, hide, or highlight…

Assistive Drone(also: Assistive UAV, Assistive Quadcopter)

A small unmanned aerial vehicle configured to assist a person with a disability — most often a blind or low-vision user — with tasks such as locating objects, navigating unfamiliar environments, scanning distant signage, and previewing walking-path conditions. Compared to…

Audible Pedestrian Signal(also: APS, Accessible Pedestrian Signal)

A device attached to a pedestrian crossing traffic signal that conveys the WALK and DON'T WALK phases through non-visual cues — typically beeps, chirps, speech messages, or a vibrating tactile arrow indicating the direction of travel. APS support safe crossing for blind and…

Audio Beacon(also: Auditory Beacon, Sound Beacon)

A spatial audio cue, typically a repeating tone or beep, attached to a specific location or object to help users with visual impairments navigate toward or identify points of interest in physical or virtual environments. Audio beacons vary in parameters such as pitch, timbre,…

Audio-Based Navigation(also: Audio Navigation, Auditory Navigation)

A navigation approach that uses audio output — typically synthesised speech, spatial audio cues, or sonification — as the primary means of providing wayfinding information to users. Audio-based navigation systems are particularly important for blind and visually impaired people,…

Auditory Map(also: Audio Map, Sonic Map)

An auditory map is an audio-based representation of geographical information designed to enable blind and visually impaired users to access and understand spatial environments without relying on vision. Auditory maps use combinations of speech, auditory icons (representative…

Aural Glancing

The auditory equivalent of visually glancing at a web page — the ability for screen reader users to quickly get a sense of what sections and content are available on a page without being forced to listen to every element serially. Aural glancing aims to bridge the fundamental…

Autonomous Navigation Robot(also: Autonomous guide robot, Self-navigating robot)

A mobile robot that plans and executes its own path through an environment to deliver a user or payload to a chosen destination, using onboard sensors (LiDAR, cameras, IMU) and a map for localisation, obstacle avoidance, and path planning. In accessibility contexts, autonomous…

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