Summary
This paper, Integrated Videos and Maps for Driving Directions, introduced a new way to merge map information (primarily drawings and symbols) with a visual image of the route being driven. The researchers explained that when driving a route for the first time, a person must look at the map more often to make sure they are going the correct way. But, after the person has driven the route a couple times, they have a visual image of important landmarks along the route (for example a church building at the corner where you must make a turn) and it helps you remember the route. The purpose of this innovation was to give those visual cues to a driver right before they make the drive in an attempt to help them with an unfamiliar route. The program works as follows: In the background, the normal map (like the Google Maps screen) is shown, and the user can pan and move the viewing point as usual. Along the route, thumbnails of the video of the route are shown, and the user can click on them to play the video section of this route. The videos are constructed using a couple of simple velocity and direction algorithms: If there is a long straightaway, then the video will fast forward through that section. But, if there is an important landmark at a turn, the picture will widen to show the landmark and freeze, giving the user time to remember that visual cue. The picture below shows an example of one of these turns. Then the video will continue on its way. The researchers hoped that this sort of navigation aid will help those with new routes they have never driven before.
Discussion
I thought this idea seemed very useful, until I noticed that it was meant to be viewed BEFORE you make the route. I feel like I sometimes have a bad memory, and if I was to view the video of landmarks along the route, I would just forget all of them and the system would be worthless to me. If they could find a way to integrate this system into the GPS devices that are included in almost all new cars now, it might be really useful. But, as the researchers commented on, the existence of GPS devices in cars that already give turn-by-turn directions make this research a little obsolete, unless you are someone who does not own one. In all, it seemed like a pretty cool mashup of Google Maps and Google Streetview, but didn’t seem too practical in our society where everyone has gadgets with GPS capabilities.
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