We have developed a mobile navigation system featuring binaural spatial sound delivered via headphones. “Machi-beacon” is intended to promote traffic and pedestrian safety: users select a destination relative to their current position, and the application renders both a visual map and an auditory earcon at the goal. The apparent location of this earcon is adjusted to reflect changes in orientation of the user by modulations of the interaural level difference. To disambiguate front and back directions, the earcon progressively changes between contrasting cues. By desaturating the visual modality, smartphone users can focus on their environment and its hazards and rewards.
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