User interfaces for mobile navigation
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830710820934 |
| Published date | 11 September 2007 |
| Date | 11 September 2007 |
| Pages | 352-365 |
| Author | Fotis Liarokapis,Emily Conradi |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
THEME ARTICLE
User interfaces for mobile
navigation
Fotis Liarokapis and Emily Conradi
The giCentre, Department of Information Science, City University, London, UK
Abstract
Purpose – The aim of this work is to explore the use of lightweight but effective user interfaces for
mobile navigation and wayfinding in urban environments.
Design/methodology/approach – Two interactive mobile interfaces were designed and
implemented following a user-centred approach. The first interface makes use of 2D digital
technology such as different representations of 2D maps and textual information. To enhance the user
experience during navigation, location aware searches may be performed indicating information about
the surroundings. The second interface makes use of virtual reality (VR) and computer graphics to
present 3D maps and textual information. The VR maps are also interactive and contain hyperlinks
positioned in 3D space which link to either web pages or other multimedia content.
Findings – Both interfaces allow users to visualise and interact with different levels of representation
of urban maps. Initial evaluation has been performed to test the usability of the 2D interface, and
limitations of the 2D technology were recorded. To overcome these limitations and explore the
potentials of alternative technologies a VR interface was prototyped and a pilot evaluation was
conducted.
Practical implications – This paper provides two prototype interfaces with some initial evaluation
that may be useful for future navigation and wayfinding systems.
Originality/value – As more and more people make use of mobile technologies and advanced
interfaces to enhance access to location-based services, this paper offers two prototype interfaces for
personal digital assistants that provide solutions to urban navigation and wayfinding.
Keywords Urban areas, Man-machine systems, Mobilelibraries, Man-machine interface
Paper type Case study
Introduction
Recent advances in digital technologies enable people to familiarise with a number of
new applications ranging from digitisation of the physical environment to digital
storage and visualisation. Modern user demands have evolved, and are very different
to what they used to be before the digital era. A characteristic example of this demand
is the necessity for using mobile technologies for tasks such as location-based services
(LBS) and other mobile applications. Depending on the application scenario, mobile
devices – with appropriate software infrastructure – can be used to navigate within
the urban environment, or to provide an index of commercial services, such as finding
the nearest police station, hospital, supermarket, etc. Google Earth (2007) and Virtual
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
Part of this work was funded by the LOCUS project, funded by EPSRC through the Location and
Timing KTN partnership. We would also like to thank the GeoInformation Group, partner on the
LOCUS project, which made the entire database of the City of London buildings available as well
as Dr David Mountain and Christos Gatzidis for creating the 2D and 3D maps for this work.
LHT
25,3
352
Received 27 February 2007
Revised 28 March 2007
Accepted 13 May 2007
Library Hi Tech
Vol. 25 No. 3, 2007
pp. 352-365
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/07378830710820934
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