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

Sat Mar 9 19:08:01 UTC 2024

I don't think it will ever fully replace a cane or a guide animal of any
kind. They are just so much more capable than any robot.

On Sat, Mar 9, 2024 at 1:18 PM Raul Gallegos - NAGDU via NAGDU <
nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> 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
>
>
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