Smart cultural site: an interactive 3D model accessible to people with visual impairment

In our study, we proposed a prototype of "Piazza dei Miracoli" (Pisa, Italy) as an intelligent 3D interface system aimed at improving the accessibility and usability of cultural sites for all, including people with vision impairment. We combine tactile information with audio tracks in order to enable potential users to explore the artifact autonomously. Low-cost and partially open-source technologies are two important features leading our approach, creating a system easily replicable. First, we designed some 3D source-based models to be printed with an additive manufacturing technology. Next, the 3D prototype has been linked to a Raspberry for handling a set of detailed audio tracks to enrich the tactile exploration with an interactive audio guide. A preliminary evaluation was conducted to test the proposed system in order to better refine its design.