Humans Could Use Echolocation to Navigate Like Bats and Dolphins

The experiments

The aim of the experiments was to see whether unpracticed, sighted individuals could use echolocation. A total of 15 people were recruited to differentiate between two 3D-printed cylinders of different geometries.

They couldn't see the objects, and they were told to make a high-frequency ringing sound with the help of a mobile unit to do so. Then, they would analyze the echo's characteristics to figure out which of the two cylinders was being targeted.

The echoes reflected back from the target objects were received by a sensor, which were then downscaled to one-eighth of their original pitch and transmitted to participants using headphones.

Turns out, the participants were able to identify which of the two cylinders was being targeted -- as long as the objects were rotating rather than stationary, though. Listeners were able to detect changes in the speed, tone, and timbre of the echo as the objects rotated because one of the cylinders had twice as many convex surfaces as the other.

But when the participants had to distinguish between two stationary cylinders, they were less successful due to the fact that lack of time-dependent changes in the nature of the echo made it more difficult to identify the geometric characteristics of each object.

But when the participants had to distinguish between two stationary cylinders, they were less successful due to the absence of time-dependent variations in the nature of the echo made it more difficult to classify the geometric features of each object. 

Possible applications

But what does all this mean? Well, from helping you get by while camping to helping you navigate your house in the dark while suffering from late-night cravings, this ability to "see" in the dark could have numerous potential applications. 

The researchers told Pop Mech that their study is "evidence that both humans and bats are capable of interpreting objects through sounds." Perhaps one day, we may able to expand this potential ability to interact with the world in a different way and see this skill being incorporated into tech such as wearables like watches or glasses, changing how people with visual impairments experience the world.