Getting out of a maze can be simplified using a reliable method known as the wall-following algorithm, or the "right-hand rule" or "left-hand rule."
The Wall-Following Method
According to common strategies for navigating mazes, including the method described in the provided reference, one of the most straightforward ways to get out is by keeping one hand on a wall and following it continuously.
Here's how it works:
- Choose a Side: Pick either your left hand or your right hand.
- Place and Follow: Place your chosen hand on the adjacent wall as soon as you enter the maze or reach a point where you need to make a decision.
- Maintain Contact: Keep that hand in constant contact with the wall as you walk through the maze.
- Navigate Turns: When you encounter a turn or a fork, simply continue following the wall your hand is touching. Your hand will naturally guide you around corners, into corridors, and past junctions.
The reference specifically highlights this technique:
"When you come in that part of the wall. Will be connected to the part of the wall next to the exit... So if you keep your hand there and follow it all the way through the maze."
This implies that by maintaining contact with a wall from the entrance (or an outer boundary wall), you will eventually reach the exit, as the outer boundary of many mazes forms a single connected path.
Why This Method Works
This method is guaranteed to work for a specific type of maze known as a simply connected maze. This is a maze without any islands (loops of walls not connected to the outer boundary) or bridges (passages that go over or under other passages). In such mazes, the outer boundary from the entrance to the exit is a continuous path. By following any wall connected to this boundary, you are essentially tracing this boundary line, which will lead you to the exit.
Key Benefits:
- Simplicity: It's easy to remember and apply.
- Effectiveness: Guaranteed to solve simply connected mazes.
- No Memory Required: You don't need to remember previous paths or make complex decisions.
While this method won't work for more complex mazes with islands or multiple levels, it's a very effective strategy for many common maze designs.
By consistently following the wall with one hand, you systematically explore the maze's structure and are guided towards the exit along the boundary path.
