[nagdu] Ultrasonic mobility devices

Fri Dec 7 13:43:41 UTC 2012

I think the thing Andy is talking about is the Miniguide, which is
handheld.  On the one hand, I'm used to waving my hands around to find
stuff, so handheld seems more natural.  On the other hand, it's another
thing to hold on to, and I don't see mention of a wrist-strap.  It costs
$346, according to Sendero.
The iglasses seem designed to protect one's head and upper body, and
"look" where one's nose is pointed.  They cost $96.10, according to
Ambutech, which is pretty amazing for blind guy tech.
Both seem like they might be more useful for a cane user than a dog user,
but I'm not sure about that.
Tracy

> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of A.J. LaPointe
> Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 3:05 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Ultrasonic mobility devices
>
> is that like the Ksonar?  I am interested in getting that small device
> that
> adjusts from 3 5 7 9 up to 10 or so feet.  It either vibrates or has a
> pitch
> variation such as a light probe...  Andy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)
> Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 12:55 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Ultrasonic mobility devices
>
> No, it didn't. It would tell you an object was there but not if it was
> occupied.
> I remember testing out a device called the Walkmatte which may or may not
> still be around.
> It had two ranges, an outdoor range (which was higher and farther) and an
> indoor range. You could approach an object say three feet ahead of you and
> two feet high and it would make a sound and/or vibrate. But you wouldn't
> know if it was a bush, a table, a bench. You also wouldn't know if someone
> was sitting on it.
> You might be able to tell a bus poll because those are narrow, but you'd
> have to walk past it to know this.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione
> Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 12:46 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Ultrasonic mobility devices
>
> Hi Rebecca.
> Really?  I was wondering if one could use it to tell if a bus seat was
> entirely unoccupied, or if a table was unoccupied at the pizza place.
> Your experience would say no?
> Benny will point out a bus seat where one is empty, but I prefer an
> entirely empty seat so I can sit by the window and Ben doesn't get his
> paws or tail in the aisle.
>
> Tracy
>
>> I did a science fair project involving ehse guides back in the mid
>> 1990's.
>> It was a fun project.
>> What I remember is that the devices worked well. What they didn't do at
>> all is show the difference between objects, a bush and a bench would
>> appear to be the same thing.
>> My concern for a dog user is that sometimes we want our dogs to find
>> things. You would know that an object was coming up using one of these
>> devices, but you probably won't know what it is, and you won't know what
>> your dog will do. He may sniff the bench, or it may be a bench you want
>> to
>> sit on.
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy
>> Carcione
>> Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2012 11:35 AM
>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: [nagdu] Ultrasonic mobility devices
>>
>> Has anyone used any of the sonic guides, those things that send out a
>> beam
>> and vibrate when they find an obstacle?
>> I tried one many years ago, and found it a bit confusing, but I only had
>> a
>> couple minutes to try it, and think experience would have made it more
>> clear.
>> I'm looking at an ad for the IGlasses ultrasonic guide for a pretty
>> reasonable price, if it's useful, but mostly I'm curious how useful it
>> is.
>> I'd be real interested in any experiences anyone has had with these
>> things.  For instance, perhaps one could use it to "see" some bushes
>> coming up the dog might sniff, or to find a bench, when the dog is
>> trying
>> to lead one around the bench--that kind of thing?
>> Tracy
>>
>>
>>
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