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

[carcione at access.net]

Just as our human brains are so much better at figuring things out than any robot. 
And the guide robot depends on things that aren't in place; see my post on indoor navigation.
Tracy


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Josh Kennedy via NAGDU
Sent: Saturday, March 9, 2024 2:08 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Josh Kennedy <joshknnd1982 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] FW: AI robot aims to replace canes and guide dogs

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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