[Blindtlk] The Buzz Clip: Wearable Technology for the Blind

Fri Oct 23 22:18:28 UTC 2015

Hi Cindy and Dr. Christine,

The Buzzclip does use the same ultrasonic technology as the Mini guide 
as well as other ultrasonic canes that have been around for decades. It 
detects obstacles within a fixed range and distances and provides 
vibratory feedback that changes with the distance of the obstacle. Where 
we differ from the other devices is in the application of this technology.

A lot of effort was put into optimizing the user experience of the 
device. The limiting it to 1m and 2m modes reduces false positives and 
only provide vibratory feedback obstacles or people that is in your path 
or coming directly at you. The 2 range modes allows more flexibility 
depending on the density of objects or people in you immediate 
environment, i.e indoors and outdoors. The device goes to sleep if you 
are at a fixed distance for over a few seconds so that it doesn't 
constantly vibrate if you are talking to someone for example. It 
reactivates again if the distance changes for more than 10-15cm. So once 
it is switch on, the user can simply carry on their usual routine with 
out the need to operate the device constantly. The battery will last for 
a full days use on a single charge.

The Buzzclip is not just another ultrasonic proximity detector. The fact 
that it is wearable and hands free makes it applicable in a lot more use 
cases. Some of our testers have been using it in line ups at coffee 
shops to determine when the line is moving forward. Some of them have 
been using it as a way finder in tight spaces by walking in the 
directions where the Buzzclip doesn't detect anything. Some have been 
using it as security by attaching it behind them, they would know 
someone is sneaking up on them if the Buzzclip detects something coming 
towards them and they don't hear anything. Some have found it useful as 
they would be able to tell if the person they are conversing with got up 
to get water and when they get back. It provides extra information on 
the surrounding passively and users are constantly finding new ways to 
use this extra information.

Aside from the useability, a lot of thought was put into the design and 
aesthetics as well. The Buzzclip is slightly larger than a lighter. The 
enclosure is made entirely of aluminum so that it is water resistant and 
durable and also very aesthetically pleasing. The devices consists of 3 
main sections, a sensor arm that is circular and smaller than the size 
of an iPod nano in terms of area and just a little bit thicker. it is 
connected to the battery enclosure by a metallic spring clip that is 
similar to the ones on pocket knifes and multi-tools. The Battery pack 
is in the shape of a rectangle with rounded edges and is roughly the 
size of a USB drive. The micro-USB charging port is on the side of the 
battery pack. At the back of the sensor is the vibration motor arm with 
is elevated from the battery pack. The entire unit has a finish that is 
similar to the look and feel of the Apple TV remote. When it is worn, 
the only portion that will be exposed is the round sensor arm.

I hope this explains it a little bit better. Please do not hesitate to 
contact us if you have any other questions.

Best Regards
The iMerciv Team.

On 2015-10-23 3:02 PM, Szostak, Christine via blindtlk wrote:
> Hi,
>    I think it is a version of the miniguide or mohat (sorry not sure of spelling) sensor. Basically, from the description it appears to be a small device that clips to your clothing and vibrates when it senses something that is ahead of you. I am not sure how this differs other than it is charged by a USB rather than just batteries that need replaced and it has only a 1-2 m range where as the mini guide has 1-4 m ranges. Thus, I am not sure what is ground-breaking about this as the video says. I think I am likely missing something that makes it different from the others that have been out there for at least a decade or two (e.g., miniguide). Note that the miniguide... also use echolocation to detect objects.
> Happy Friday all!
> Chris
>
> Dr. Christine M. Szostak
> Assistant Professor of Psychology
> Department of Social Sciences
> Shorter University
> Rome, Georgia
> szostak.1 at osu.edu
> cszostak at shorter.edu
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cindy Ray via blindtlk
> Sent: Friday, October 23, 2015 11:13 AM
> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List' <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Cindy Ray <cindyray at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] The BuzzClip: Wearable Technology for the Blind
>
> So what is this buzz clip supposed to do I wonder.
> Cindy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of iMerciv via blindtlk
> Sent: Friday, October 23, 2015 9:48 AM
> To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: iMerciv <info at imerciv.com>
> Subject: [Blindtlk] The BuzzClip: Wearable Technology for the Blind
>
> Dear Readers,
>   
>
>   
> We wanted to share with some information with you about a new revolutionary product that could really help people living with vision loss all over the world. The BuzzClip is currently live on Indiegogo and while our campaign is promoting this cool new technology, it also has a big social cause attached to it. For more information please check out our campaign page:
> https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-buzzclip-wearable-ultrasound-for-the-
> blind/x/11673979#/
> <https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-buzzclip-wearable-ultrasound-for-the
> -blind/x/11673979#/>
>   
> Our device has been street tested here in Toronto, as well as the U.S and India by hundreds of visually impaired individuals.
> We have working units at many organizations within Toronto that have been testing our device with their clients and the response thus far has been amazing. You can watch the BuzzClip in action or hear what some of our users have to say about it on our Youtube Channel:
> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSnwSwEYIMD-bs8xOZM4tIQ
> <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSnwSwEYIMD-bs8xOZM4tIQ>
>   
> It would be great if you could share this information with anyone who would benefit from using a device like this or anyone who may want to order one for family and friends. With the support of the public, we can build a better product and can have them in the hands of people that truly need them as early as the spring of 2016.
>   
> Please contact us if you have any questions and we really look forward to hearing from you.
> Thank You & Best Regards,
>
> The iMerciv Team
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