Wayfinding in virtual environments using an interactive spatial cognitive map

Abstract

We illustrate how an interactive spatial cognitive map representation of a large-scale virtual space under navigation can be constructed in order to help solve navigation queries and formulate navigation commands. We explain our design, describe its implementation and present the evaluation results from a sample of 6 navigators. Our balanced-within experiment shows that our implementation results in a significant decrease in the physical demand experienced by participants to tackle set navigation tasks. The paper also introduces a novel algorithm for the capture and organisation of spatial knowledge resulting from navigation in a virtual environment. This algorithm is the basis of our navigation aid.