Exploring the utility of digital voice assistants for spatial navigation, in enhancing human cognition

In today’s technology-centred world, we have become increasingly reliant upon artificial intelligence (AI) devices and software. To aid with navigation, many people use SIRI or other digital voice assistants to help them navigate from point A to point B. While successful in helping humans arrive at intended locations, there is a downside. Recent studies have shown that human cognition, specifically spatial memory, suffers when we offload basic human skills to an AI device. The goal of this proposal is to measure route knowledge and navigation ability following a variety of ways of delivering directions to humans, that rely differentially on AI devices.
Recent work in human cognitive sciences suggests that memory is enhanced when people actively explore routes, within virtual reality, compared to when they are simply passively guided to a destination. In this current project, we have two aims: 1) We will design and conduct a study comparing the relative benefits and costs of having a voice assistant provide navigation and directions to humans, to without the help of an AI device. 2) We will then implement and evaluate an alternative means for how AI apps can provide such instructions

Faculty Supervisor:

Myra Fernandes

Student:

Partner:

Inria Bordeaux - Sud-Ouest Research Centre

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Artificial Intelligence; Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Commercial Services

University:

University of Waterloo

Program: