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

Sun Oct 25 00:10:30 UTC 2015

Hi,
  I got mine years ago so I am not sure where you can still purchase them. Doing a google search should get you to them. I think they are still being made. There are other versions, I think Maxi Aids, ILA, or S&S may have  it or similar products. Thus, I would start with these unless others hear know where you can purchase the device or something similar.
HTH and sorry for not having more info  on where to get it:)!
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 Danielle Ledet via blindtlk
Sent: Saturday, October 24, 2015 8:05 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Danielle Ledet <singingmywayin at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] The Buzz Clip: Wearable Technology for the Blind

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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--
Danielle

Email: singingmywayin at gmail.com

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