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

[Yiska]

I really wish these companies would consult us as blind people to find out
what would actually be useful and go from there.

On Sat, Mar 9, 2024 at 12:08 PM Josh Kennedy via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> 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
> > Facebook Group | Email list | Mastodon
> > 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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