Using 3D audio for navigation in Android

I have uploaded the code for our SoNav prototype on Github, for any researchers interested in building 3D audio navigation apps for Android.

The prototype uses the concept of an "audio scent" - after a route has been calculated for the user, the route "emits" a continuous sound which the user can perceive using 3D audio delivered by their headphones. As the user walks further from the route, the level of the audio diminishes to let them know they have strayed too far.

Using this prototype negates the tyranical turn-by-turn instructions provided by most navigation apps and provides an immersive experience for the user, allowing them to choose their own routes with confidence and freedom. You can read more about our research using this prototype here http://komninos.info/?q=node/36.

The prototype makes use of the OpenAL library for Android built by the very nice Dr. Martin Pielot

A ready - built .APK file is included in GitHub if you want to just install on your phone and try it out https://github.com/komis1/SoNav/blob/master/bin/SoNav.apk