[Blindtlk] The Buzz Clip: Wearable Technology for the Blind
Jasmine Kotsay
jasmine.kotsay at gmail.com
Sat Oct 24 20:58:35 UTC 2015
Hello,
I was wondering, are any more testers needed? I would be
willing to teverst one out! Also, hereow much is the device?
----- Original Message -----
From: bin liu via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Fri, 23 Oct 2015 18:18:28 -0400
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] The Buzz Clip: Wearable Technology for
the Blind
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-ultrasou
nd-for-the-
blind/x/11673979#/
<https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-buzzclip-wearable-ultraso
und-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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