In this paper we tackle the problem of generating natural route descriptions on the basis of input obtained from a commercially available way-finding system. Our framework and architecture incorporates the use of general principles drawn from the domain of natural language generation. Through examples we demonstrate that it is possible to bridge the gap between underlying data representations and natural sounding linguistic descriptions. The work presented contributes both to the area of natural language generation and to the improvement of way-finding system interfaces.

In this paper we tackle the problem of generating natural route descriptions on the basis of input obtained from a commercially available way-finding system. Our framework and architecture incorporates the use of generic natural language generation techniques. Through examples we demonstrate that it is possible to bridge the gap between underlying representation and natural sounding descriptions. The work presented contributes both to the area of natural language generation and to the improvement of way-finding system interfaces.

Although landmarks are an integral aspect of navigation, they have rarely been used within electronic navigation aids. This paper describes the design of a pedestrian navigation aid for a handheld computer, which guides the user along a route using photographs of landmarks, together with audio and text instructions that reference these landmarks. This aid was designed with older users in mind who often find their mobility hampered by declines in sensory, cognitive and motor abilities. It was tested against the standard paper map for the test area with both younger and older people and their performance and subjective workload were measured. The results show that such an aid can significantly outperform a paper-based map and that older people derive substantially more benefit from it than do younger people.

This paper builds on such work by examining the role of age and of di#erent ways of presenting navigation information on the e#ectiveness of landmark-based systems. To do this, it uses a set of experiments in the field using an operational prototype of a navigation aid. Theoretically, from the above discussion, it would appear that older people would particularly benefit from the inclusion of landmark information and the work described in this paper examines this hypothesis. It further investigates how this information can be best presented to older people in view of reduced sight and hearing, by examining di#erent modalities. Some of the results from the first part of this study were previously presented in (Goodman et al. 2004b)

To my parents, Paul and B.J., for encouraging both wonder and accomplishment. To my wife, Sarah, for her unflagging love, support, and understanding. To all my friends, who have helped in innumerable ways.

Drivers need assistance when navigating an unfamiliar route. In-vehicle navigation systems have improved in recent years due to the technology advances, but are sometimes problematic because of information overload while driving. To address the attentional demands of reading a map while driving, we have developed the MOVE (Maps Optimized for Vehicular Environments) in-car navigation display, which provides situationally appropriate navigation information to the driver through optimization of map information.

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