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

Danielle Ledet singingmywayin at gmail.com
Sun Oct 25 00:05:19 UTC 2015 

Where can we get it when it's ready? Like if the campaign runs out
before we can get it will it still be available?

Chris I never heard of the Miniguide. Where can I find more information?


On 10/24/15, Jasmine Kotsay via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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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>
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-- 
Danielle

Email: singingmywayin at gmail.com

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