[NAGDU] My experience using Aira to navigate a familiar route with my dog was Re: Aira, or Be My Eyes

Sat Feb 9 03:02:11 UTC 2019

Hello:

Not to disagree with our moderator but, in some ways this is guide dog 
related.  Many of us are not familiar with all the technology and smart 
phone apps out there.  It is helpful to hear experiences and opinions from 
those who have used them.  I know technical questions should not be on this 
list but I hope we can still discuss how these options can be used safely 
with our guide dogs.  This discussion brings up the question how safe are 
we when listening to any navigation assistant no matter whether it is a 
person or a talking GPS device.  I am sure many of you have worked out 
strategies to operate phones, headsets, concentrate on your surroundings and 
paying attention to your dogs.  I have just begun to learn how to use the 
Trekker Breeze.  It has a long shoulder strap so carrying it is not an 
issue.  I would appreciate some advice about hands-free operation when 
listening to a device while working your dog and being completely aware of 
your environment.  I assume some kind of headset that does not block the 
ears is best.  Write to me off list so we will not get in trouble discussing 
using talking devices or human assistance while working our guide dogs. 
Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions.  Safe travels with your furry 
partners.

Sandra
SLJohnson25 at centurylink.net
-----Original Message----- 
From: Miranda via NAGDU
Sent: Friday, February 08, 2019 5:19 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Miranda ; Tracy Carcione
Subject: [NAGDU] My experience using Aira to navigate a familiar route with 
my dog was Re: Aira, or Be My Eyes

Hi,
During my set-up training, I used Aira with my dog to navigate to a very 
familiar bus stop near my apartment. We did not need to cross any streets. 
However, one thing to note about navigation with this or any other service 
is that because it is run through the Internet, the Internet connection and 
bandwidth may not keep up with your walking pace. So, the agent was between 
30 60 seconds behind us in describing where we were. Also, with this being a 
very familiar route, my dog and I already had the destination and our safest 
route in mind. It is important to note here that someone who is cited may 
choose to take a different route than we would as either someone who is 
visually impaired or as a dog guide handler. I was using the horizon smart 
glasses as part of the set up. If you have somewhere to store the 
accompanying phone along with anything else you are carrying such as your 
own cell phone, then you are pretty much hands-free with the service. I 
would definitely recommend using caution when determining the best 
headphones to use with this service as well, and keep in mind that if you 
are in an area with other noise such as nearby traffic, it may be very 
difficult to hear the agent and or your surroundings in order to ensure your 
safety. I’m not sure if I would trust it for navigation due to bandwidth or 
connection concerns in timing. I also feel much safer in paying attention to 
my surroundings and what my dog is communicating through the harness than I 
did trying to listen to the agent in addition to utilizing my dog, my 
orientation and mobility skills, etc.
I hope my experience is helpful, and have a wonderful weekend!

Best wish, Miranda

Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 8, 2019, at 2:23 PM, Melissa Allman via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> 
> wrote:
>
> I've only tried Be My Eyes with something stationary. I would never try it 
> with navigation tasks. Just my take on it. And yes I feel like there 
> should be a way to grow an extra hand because I run out when using Aira 
> but that's just because I currently lack a Bluetooth headset that's paired 
> with it. If you have one, you can have the phone in your pocket and not 
> hold anything extra. I like to use it with headphones that do not cover my 
> ears so traffic sounds are not obscured.
>
> Melissa R. Allman
> Senior Specialist, Advocacy and Government Relations
> The Seeing Eye, Inc.
> P.O. Box 375, Morristown, NJ 07963-0375 (mail)
> 10 Washington Valley Road, Morristown, NJ 07960-3412 (deliveries)
> 973-539-4425 ext. 1724,     Fax:  973-525-1081 mallman at SeeingEye.org
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione 
> via NAGDU
> Sent: Friday, February 08, 2019 2:20 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Cc: Tracy Carcione
> Subject: [NAGDU] Aira, or Be My Eyes
>
> I've used Be My Eyes, but only while standing still.  It seems to me it 
> would be harder to use while on the move.  For instance, it would be handy 
> to use Aira on an upcoming trip to get through the airports and to find my 
> shuttle.  But how does one have the dog in one hand, the roller bag in 
> another, and wave the phone with yet another?  Oops, out of hands.  Don't 
> I need to wave the phone around so the helper can see what's around?  Or 
> is it a series of stops and starts?  Krokus finds stops and starts mighty 
> confusing, and I really can't blame him.  We both like to get on a roll 
> and keep moving.
>
> Tracy
>
>
>
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