[NAGDU] FW: AI robot aims to replace canes and guide dogs

[Raul Gallegos - NAGDU]

Hello everyone, this is such a great topic of discussion.
For many years, even probably longer than I have been alive, there have been attempts by various companies to create some sort of technology that will replace a cane or a guide dog. I often see this in the cane department, where so-called smart canes are designed with lights, vibration mechanisms, GPS capabilities, etc. Likewise, attempts are now made more often to create robotic guide units. Did anyone ever watch the jetsons? Does anyone have a Roomba or similar robotic vacuum cleaner? Has anyone read books by Isaac Asimov or Philip K dick? The thing is, I think that technologies like this will at some point reach the level that they will actually become a little useful. However, as others have said, Technology cannot replace the skills you need to know where you are and where you are going. What this means is, it all comes down to having basic orientation and mobility. This is something I feel very strongly about whenever somebody uses a cane or a guide dog. If somebody were to use technology, at this point, it might be an enhancement in some areas, but most likely, it will be a hindrance. I love technology, yet I also know its pitfalls and how unreliable it can be. While devices like my robotic vacuum are nice and helpful, they don't put my life in any danger. If the battery runs out mid-cleaning cycle, it's not a big deal.
In closing, I would like to share one of my favorite quotes said by Christian Lange. “Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.”


--
Raul Gallegos, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users
rgallegos at nagdu.org
(346) 439-7444
www.nfb.org
www.nagdu.org
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Live the life you want.

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Vanessa Lowery via NAGDU
Sent: Saturday, March 9, 2024 12:15 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Vanessa Lowery <val4dogs at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] FW: AI robot aims to replace canes and guide dogs

Good grief, indeed! The author is correct that the price of training the dog from the time it is born possibly even before that one following the pregnancy of the mother), the raising of the puppy, the training of the dog, and the matching of dog in person, may cost $50,000 or more depending on the US school. However, for those schools that do charge a nominal (I emphasize nominal) fee, The price of the first dog is $150. The price for each successor dog is $50. If you're a veteran, you only pay one Buck. 

And regardless of whether you use a cane, a dog, or some kind of gizmo, you still need to know where you're going. Even if a GPS is built in, sometimes they are not accurate (point out a location in the wrong direction, etc.). And at some point, just as we have to retire totally used to death canes or dogs that are ready to retire, technology poops out and at some point has to be replaced. I think I'll stick with the dog.

It's as if the author/developer of this device seems to imply that when we use his product, we can just shut our brains down, kind of take a nap, and just let the thing take us where it seems to know we want to go. Ain't such an animal that works like that. Orientation and mobility skills still have to be utilized. Yikes!

Now, can adjusting to blindness when you lose your sight as an adult, or even as an older child, be initially challenging? Yes. Anytime we face some new situation in our lives whether it is related to blindness or not, a learning curve is expected. But you motor your way through that learning curve until the skill that you need to achieve has successfully occurred. it requires hard work, but hard work didn't hurt anybody. 

I was dragged to job access with speech, Abril display later followed by a braille note taker, and the iPhone kicking and screaming. The learning curve drove me nuts with each of those pieces of technology (especially the iPhone). But I mastered all three of those assistive technologies, and I use them on a daily basis. Hard work, yes. Was it worth it, yes. Did it drive me nuts at times, yes. But I survived. I got through it. I learned what I needed to learn.

My dad has recently moved into an assisted-living facility, and I need to learn how to get from the front door of the building to his room, and then reverse the route. Thus far, I am more comfortable with the route that is needed to exit the building then I am with the route to take to get to dad's room. On some occasions, I can't reverse some routes initially. But overtime, I will. I will use specific techniques with the dog to help both of us figure things out. He's actually getting the hang of it more quickly than I am, but we're a team, we will use our O and M and dog handling skills to figure things out. 

OK user would have to do the same thing (find landmarks within the building that would help him or her navigate the hallways in the assisted-living facility. Someone using this new gizmo would have to do the same thing. The place is huge, is crawling with hallways, so you can't dismiss the fact that you need to use your own skills to figure out where things are regardless of what type of mobility age you use.

OK, I'm going to go back under my rock and hide.


Vanessa and the zoo  
Sent from my iPhone