Locating spatialized sounds nodes for echolocation using unsupervised machine learning

A method, comprising:

• receiving input from a user to generate echolocation sounds to navigate a three-dimensional space;
• and
• responsive to the received input:
• segmenting a digital representation of the three-dimensional space into two or more depth planes using an unsupervised machine learning algorithm;
• determining object segments for respective objects within respective depth planes;
• determining respective surface areas of the respective objects;
• based at least on the respective surface areas determined for the respective objects and the respective depth planes of the respective objects, selecting a first plurality of discrete locations in the three-dimensional space for placement of a first plurality of echo sound nodes on a first object in a first depth plane and a second plurality of discrete locations in the three-dimensional space for placement of a second plurality of echo sound nodes on a second object in a second depth plane;
• placing the first plurality of echo sound nodes at the first plurality of discrete locations on the first object and the second plurality of echo sound nodes at the second plurality of discrete locations on the second object, wherein at least some other discrete locations on the first object and the second object do not receive echo sound nodes;
• and
• generating a plurality of echolocation sounds originating from the first plurality of echo sound nodes and the second plurality of echo sound nodes.

A computer storage media storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed, cause a computing device to:

• segment a digital representation of a three-dimensional space into two or more depth planes using an unsupervised machine learning algorithm;
• determine object segments for respective objects within respective depth planes;
• determine respective surface areas of the respective objects;
• based at least on the respective surface areas determined for the respective objects and the respective depth planes of the respective objects, select a first plurality of discrete locations in the three-dimensional space for placement of a first plurality of echo sound nodes on a first object in a first depth plane and a second plurality of discrete locations in the three-dimensional space for placement of a second plurality of echo sound nodes on a second object in a second depth plane;
• place the first plurality of echo sound nodes at the first plurality of discrete locations on the first object and the second plurality of echo sound nodes at the second plurality of discrete locations on the second object, at least some other discrete locations on the first object and the second object lacking echo sound nodes;
• and
• generate a plurality of spatialized echolocation sounds originating from the first plurality of echo sound nodes and the second plurality of echo sound nodes.