[nagdu] Basics of GPS

Sun Feb 5 01:36:55 UTC 2012

I use Sendero Look Around on my Android phone and also the following apps:

Around Me
Google navigation
where Am I (Mobile Accessibility App)

Margo and Arrow
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rusty Perez" <rustys.lists at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2012 7:33 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Basics of GPS

> Hi Jenine,
> I use an Android phone and would be happy to supply some specifics on
> Android location apps.
> In brief,the app I find most useful more often is The VOICe  for
> Android. It is actually designed as an augmented reality app with
> vision substitution, but it has some nice location features. It will
> tell you what intersection you are approaching, or at which you have
> arrived.  It has a feature which will tell you what streets are near,
> and current address, and a compass. Plus more.
> Google maps, with the use of WalkieTalkie will give walking
> directions, and transit directions, as well as driving directions.
> There is something called intersection explorer which perports to help
> you look around a neighborhood.
> There are a few others.
> I'd really like intersection descriptions, but not enough to purchase
> a dedicated device  with outdated maps, and cost for upgrades. The
> intersections I'll just have to rely on my gut and dog for. :-)
> Rusty
>
> On 2/4/12, Jenine Stanley <jeninems at wowway.com> wrote:
>> Here's just a little about GPs devices. GDf plans to have some material
>> about choosing a GPS device and working with it and your guide on our web
>> site later this spring, but this is a taste of what will be there.
>>
>> What is GPS technology?
>>
>> GPS, Global Positioning System technology is a way to pinpoint your 
>> position
>> using triangulation between at least 3 satellites and a receiver.
>>
>> How accurate is GPS technology?
>>
>> Civilian GPS technology is accurate to around 10 to 15 feet. When using a
>> GPS device, imagine yourself standing in the middle of a 15 foot circle.
>> Accuracy can be effected by weather, stormy or excess electrical activity 
>> in
>> the weather for example, tall buildings or large reflective surfaces like
>> bodies of water, and the strength of the receiver versus other 
>> interference
>> such as high capacity power lines.
>>
>> Does GPS work indoors?
>>
>> No. You must be able to see the sky in order for your GPS receiver to 
>> work.
>> Some buildings with large windows, skylights  or atriums may allow you to
>> get a GPS signal but it will be less reliable due to the potential
>> reflection off the glass or other materials. GPS may also not work in 
>> some
>> vehicles with protective coating on the windows such as trains or some 
>> cars
>> with UV window treatments.
>>
>> What makes GPS products for blind people so special?
>>
>> One feature really stands out in the GPS products specifically designed 
>> for
>> use by blind people. Intersection description is a method, using 
>> algorithms,
>> that describes the layout of intersections as you approach them on foot.
>> This description is not generally found in standard GPS products that 
>> simply
>> give the street name. Knowing how an intersection is laid out or when you
>> are passing a cross street on the other side of the street from you that
>> doesn't go all the way through can be extremely helpful in navigating 
>> your
>> way around.
>>
>> You can use the intersection description feature when walking or simply 
>> have
>> the device announce the street name as you approach it. This is handy 
>> when
>> in a vehicle such as a taxi or bus. Most blindness GPS products can be 
>> set
>> to which ever announcement type you like then left to work without you 
>> doing
>> anything else. The devices can also be set to announce what's around you
>> such as stores, restaurants, public buildings, bus stops, etc. while you
>> walk. They also have a host of other features.
>>
>> What are the major GPS products out there now for blind people?
>>
>> There are two major stand-alone devices for GPS navigation and several
>> options for using additional devices with a GPS receiver.
>>
>> The Trekker Breeze is a stand-alone device made by Humanware. It is about
>> the size of a large TV remote and has 9 buttons on its front. It was
>> originally designed for people who did not want a complex device for GPS
>> navigation.
>>
>> Humanware produced the original Trekker device using a mainstream PDA 
>> which
>> is no longer available. That device had around 36 buttons on it and had 
>> the
>> ability to browse routes when not in the specific area. The Breeze does 
>> not
>> have this ability but does allow users to put in addresses for later
>> navigation.
>>
>> Unfortunately, the maps used by the Trekker Breeze are only updated
>> approximately every 12 to 18 months by Humanware. If your area doesn't
>> change much, this is not a large factor but if you travel or live in a
>> dynamic area, points of interest along your way may be reported 
>> incorrectly.
>>
>>
>> The Kapten Plus is produced by Kapsys in France. I do not know who the
>> current US dealer is. Leader Dogs used to sell the device and provide
>> training but I'm not certain they do this any longer.
>>
>> The Kapten Plus is about the size of a credit card and about as thick as 
>> a
>> small package of gum. It has 9 buttons on the front as well but they are
>> significantly smaller than those on the Trekker Breeze. The Kapten Plus 
>> is
>> controlled through a combination of voice input using a headset and
>> microphone, and the 9 buttons. It also has an MP3 player and FM radio. 
>> Both
>> of these will work while using the GPS functions.
>>
>> The Kapten Plus does not announce cross streets when in vehicles that are
>> moving at more than 10 mph. It also will not announce points of interest 
>> as
>> you pass them but will tell you about them if you ask it.
>>
>> I have used both stand-alone devices in Manhattan, on the streets and the
>> buses and they both worked fairly well at keeping track of my position. 
>> If I
>> was walking near a tall building or one with a highly reflective front, 
>> they
>> might report me one street off but generally they were accurate.
>>
>> Sendero Group produces GPS software for a variety of platforms. This
>> software requires a device such as a braille note taker, the Braille Note 
>> or
>> Braille Sense, or a smart phone such as the HTC Ozone. The Sendero 
>> software
>> is the engine for the Mobile Geo GPS program for smart phones on both the
>> windows and simian platforms. This software does not require a data plan 
>> for
>> your phone, but does take up considerable space so it is preferable to
>> install it on an SD card rather than the phone itself.
>>
>> To use the Sendero software, you will also need a GPS receiver. This is a
>> small device that is paired via bluetooth connection with your notetaker 
>> or
>> phone.
>>
>> The Sendero maps are updated regularly, at least once per year.
>>
>>
>> In order to use the program on your notetaker, you will need to install 
>> it
>> and be able to give it commands, so the notetaker will be exposed to some
>> weather conditions at times.
>>
>> What about apps for the I-Phone and Android?
>>
>> I can't speak to any apps for the Android phones but would welcome any
>> information about them.
>>
>> there are a number of apps for the I-Phone that provide differing levels 
>> of
>> GPS information but currently none provide the same level as the Trekker
>> Breeze, Kapten Plus or Sendero products on notetakers or phones. The apps 
>> do
>> not provide intersection description, nor do they announce upcoming 
>> street
>> names. If anyone finds an app that does announce upcoming street names,
>> please let me know.
>>
>> That doesn't mean phone apps aren't useful. I personally like Ariadne 
>> GPS,
>> an app for the I-phone that gives address and street name, announces 
>> street
>> changes as you travel in a vehicle and can show you what's around and 
>> plan
>> routes.
>>
>> Some other phone apps that people like include:
>>
>> Navigan, which has been updated recently to restore some of its
>> accessibility.
>> Sendero Look Around, an app that, when you shake your phone at an
>> intersection, will give you that intersection's description and what's
>> around you. It does not follow you though if you move on and you must 
>> shake
>> the phone at each intersection to receive more details.
>>
>> Where to is an app that can give you directions to nearby points of
>> interest.
>>
>> My Way and My Way Lite are both produced by the Swiss Association for the
>> Blind and are based on the Lodestone navigation system. In this system 
>> users
>> set their own markers as they go and streets and points of interest are 
>> not
>> announced. I've just begun to work with this app so don't know too much
>> about it yet but it has promise.
>>
>> Kapten NAm is the Kapten North American version. This app is a commercial
>> product with a $7 per month fee to use the data/maps and does not have 
>> any
>> of the blindness features the stand-alone Kapten device has.
>>
>> GPS Drive is similar to Navigan in how it works and is primarily designed
>> for use in vehicles but it can give you walking directions to points of
>> interest or addresses as well.
>>
>> Maps is a native I-Phone app that can give directions to nearby points of
>> interest as well as serving as the base for several of the other GPS apps
>> mentioned above. These maps are updated regularly in real time. Prices on
>> the apps listed above vary from $1.99 to $60.00.
>>
>> Why does it seem like the GPS devices used by sighted people are more
>> accurate than the ones for blind people?
>>
>> The devices used by sighted people, such as Tom-Tom, On-Star, Garman and
>> others have one additional feature that enhances the GPS, human vision. A
>> person can see the GPS display telling him that the place he wants to 
>> find
>> is approaching on the left. Remember that 15 foot circle we stand in when
>> using GPS information? Human vision has a much greater circle to span. 
>> The
>> address might be 50 feet away and Voila! The sighted person sees it and 
>> goes
>> to it while the blind person must still rely on the GPS instructions to 
>> get
>> closer.
>>
>> Both systems use the same satellites and same receiver technology to gain
>> the information. Honest. <grin>
>>
>> What other skills do I need to work with GPs technology?
>>
>> GPS technology alone does not replace the use of a cane or guide dog. It
>> also requires that you have some understanding of street layouts and be 
>> able
>> to keep track of what side of the street you are on and the address 
>> system.
>>
>> GPS technology assumes you are a car and places you in the middle of the
>> street to navigate. On some larger roads, there may be two or more GPS
>> positions for that road. GPS doesn't know if you are walking on the left 
>> or
>> right side of the street.
>>
>> The Kapten Plus device does state that it has this feature but I've only
>> found it accurate about 50% of the time.
>>
>> When we taught GPS tecnology at GDF, we had a saying for people when it
>> comes to trust: ""Gut, Dog, Trekker."
>>
>> This means that first you should trust your instincts and O&M skills. 
>> Next
>> trust your cane or dog. Finally, use the information from your GPS device
>> and plug that in to what you already know about your environment.
>>
>> That's just a brief look at GPS. As I said, we hope to have much more 
>> info
>> later this spring.
>>
>> Currently I have a Trekker Breeze and a Kapten Plus, at least 7 apps on 
>> my
>> I-Phone and have used Mobile Geo in the past but on a very slow phone so 
>> it
>> really wasn't a good test. Personally, I prefer the Trekker Breeze, 
>> though
>> its maps are outdated. It's easy to use, gives me all of the info I want,
>> intersection description when walking, cross street identification in
>> vehicles and a nice clear voice. I'm still hoping for that I-phone app 
>> that
>> will equal the original Humanware Trekker software. That imho was 
>> probably
>> the best and easiest to use product I've worked with.
>> Jenine Stanley FSO-PA
>> U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 18-06
>> Columbus, OH
>> cga.jenine at wowway.com
>>
>> Follow us on Facebook:
>> http://www.facebook.com/pages/U-S-Coast-Guard-Auxiliary-Flotilla-18-06/18324
>> 2738443425
>> Follow us on Twitter:
>> http://www.twitter.com/cga1806
>> Visit our website:
>> http://a0821806.uscgaux.info/
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>> nagdu:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/rustys.lists%40gmail.com
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/margo.downey%40verizon.net
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2112/4789 - Release Date: 02/04/12
> 