relative direction
Let an agent handle relative directions by reference frame, conventions and translation into absolute directions.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent handle relative directions by reference frame, conventions and translation into absolute directions.
A direction defined relative to an observer or object, such as left, right, forward, backward, up and down, as opposed to absolute directions such as north and south; related systems include points of sail and traffic direction.
What it is for: Giving and following directions and describing orientation.
It can be give clear directions; convert relative to absolute directions; handle left and right conventions; describe orientation in sailing or traffic.
Distinguishing features
Depends on the reference point
Changes as the observer turns
Contrasted with absolute directions
Language conventions differ
What it looks like
Words and arrows indicating direction relative to a viewpoint.
How it is recognised
Left, right, ahead, behind
Port and starboard at sea
Some languages prefer absolute directions
Related models
is a kind of - category
is contrasted with - absolute
depends on - basis
is used in - application
In practice
Families and kinds
egocentric directions: left, right, front, back
vertical directions: up, down
nautical directions: port, starboard, bow, stern
traffic directions
points of sail
Standards and regulation
Rules of the road on driving side
COLREGs for maritime directions
Failure modes and hazards
Left-right confusion in instructions
Ambiguous reference points
Wrong side of the road for visitors
Also called
+559
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Frame Reference.
Reference defines direction.
Reference
Viewpoint.
Reference
Reference frame.
- Relative to whom or what is the direction given? definition
- Is the reference clear? boundary
Absolute
Conversion.
Absolute
Absolute conversion.
- What absolute direction does it correspond to? measurement
- Which way is the observer facing? definition
Directions Giving them.
Clear directions help.
Clarity
Instructions.
Clarity
Clear directions.
- How can directions be made unambiguous? action
- Should landmarks be added? action
Accessibility
Needs.
Accessibility
Accessible directions.
- Are directions usable by blind or low-vision people? boundary
- Do they use clock-face or tactile cues? definition
Domains Special systems.
Domains have conventions.
Nautical
Port and starboard.
Nautical
Nautical directions.
- Which nautical terms apply? definition
- Why are they used instead of left and right? definition
Traffic
Driving side.
Traffic
Traffic direction.
- Which side of the road is traffic on here? provenance
- What should visitors watch for? action
Language Cultures.
Languages differ.
Systems
Relative or absolute.
Systems
Linguistic systems.
- Does the language prefer relative or absolute directions? provenance
- How does that affect translation? boundary
Confusion
Left-right.
Confusion
Left-right confusion.
- How can left-right confusion be reduced in safety-critical tasks? action
- Which checks help? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should nautical directions be separate entries?
- How should language differences be recorded?
- How should reference frames be specified?