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

Sat Mar 9 19:36:24 UTC 2024

I agree that basic OM is critical. You can already see the result of technology replacing basics when kids can't multiply or add without a calculator. Also, how many people depend on their GPS to navigate.

I must admit that whenever I hear about the latest technology I cringe. I love technology as much as anybody but these devices are usually developed by well-meaning Engineering students and companies that have absolutely no clue about orientation and mobility and blindness skills. 
JODY

To Boldly Go  🖖🏻 

thunderwalker321 at gmail.com 

"What's within you is stronger than what's in your way."  NO BARRIERS  Erik Weihenmayer

> On Mar 9, 2024, at 2:30 PM, Yiska via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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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