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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Good morning: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Jeff is absolutely spot-on here. There is nothing I can really add to what he has said except this brief illustration which, to me, confirms the truth of all Jeff has written<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>When I had the honor of working with Dr. Alan Dodds; from the University of Nottingham’s Blind Mobility Research Unit; he told me about the adventures of a colleague who demonstrated the Mowat Sensor. This device sounds similar to the one described here, though it was implanted in a pair of glasses. The Mowat would tell the wearer whenever there was an object in front of him, and it would vibrate more or less to Indicate whether it was a large object or a small one. The Mowat did not always pick up on objects on the ground but it got everything else, even things that were off to the side like branches. I believe this unit may also capture those items so it would be a bit more advanced than the Mowat. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Well Dr. Dodds was observing this colleague walking across campus wearing the glasses. The man was turning his head continuously from side to side so he would not miss anything—and in the process it is not surprising that he completely lost his way while crossing the commons. The head turning caused great weaving in his walk, so he failed to find the proper sidewalk to take him to the Mobility Research Unit. He also ran smack into every person he encountered… until those walking behind others had the sense to move far out of his way. He also ran into tree branches, missed curbs and connected with 1 fire-hydrant. Inside the Mobility Research Unit things got even worse. This man kept talking about the wonders of the Mowat and in the meantime he was crashing into tables, knocking over chairs and finally careening into a wall. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I would be interested to see how much pro9gress this technology had made in the past 35 years, but am not at all a believer in computerized or robotic travel aids of any kind. I believe the mind of a blind person together with a cane can take that person safely, gracefully and effectively wherever she wants to travel across this big blue world! Once she is proficient using her cane and problem solving, she can do the same thing with a Guide dog. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Respectfully, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Christine<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-left:solid blue 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 4.0pt'><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Nebraska-Senior-Blind <nebraska-senior-blind-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>debandjeff--- via Nebraska-Senior-Blind<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, April 16, 2024 11:31 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'Nebraska Senior Blind Info and Discussion List' <nebraska-senior-blind@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> debandjeff@allophone.com<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Nebraska-Senior-Blind] New travel aid - what do you think - FW: [Tech-VI] CSUN 2024: Strap Tech Ara Wearable Mobility Device for the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Hi Robert,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>While I haven’t seen the device, nor have I read all of the details, I’m not certain it has all that much more going for it than devices from twenty, thirty or even forty years ago. These devices tend to provide information that tells the user that there is something there, which in some situations can be helpful; however, in general they do not tell the user what that object is. An experienced cane user that contacts an object with the cane receives both auditory and tactile information that can in many cases be very quickly identified as the characteristics of a particular object. This identification can provide important information regarding orientation, such as the sound of the typical sign pole can tell the blind person that he or she is too close to the street, and needs to turn away from it. A guide dog takes the blind handler around obstacles, but due to intelligent disobedience, can prevent the handler from making a critical error. Even if such a device could tell the user what an object is, could it do it quickly enough to allow it to be really useful. Sure, if it could be used to scan an area, and tell you where specific things are, that could be useful, but I think there are already some apps out there that can help with that, but I don’t think using them on the fly is a very good idea.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>There are many other reasons that the cane, or a dog continue to be the primary choices of blind people for their personal independent travel, but the most important one is the level of understanding of the environment that they provide, or the partnership with a dog that help them to have the confidence to travel independently. I don’t see this device, anymore than those that came before it, as being a better answer, or even all that particularly useful as an addition To the cane or dog.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Yes, we need to keep an open mind with regard to technology, but those that are attempting to develop these things really need to have blind folks that know how to travel very much at the center of their efforts. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Nebraska-Senior-Blind <<a href="mailto:nebraska-senior-blind-bounces@nfbnet.org">nebraska-senior-blind-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Robert Leslie Newman via Nebraska-Senior-Blind<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, April 16, 2024 7:00 AM<br><b>To:</b> NE senior division listserv <<a href="mailto:nebraska-senior-blind@nfbnet.org">nebraska-senior-blind@nfbnet.org</a>>; NFB Seniors Division Discussion List <<a href="mailto:nfb-seniors-discussion@nfbnet.org">nfb-seniors-discussion@nfbnet.org</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:robertleslienewman@gmail.com">robertleslienewman@gmail.com</a><br><b>Subject:</b> [Nebraska-Senior-Blind] New travel aid - what do you think - FW: [Tech-VI] CSUN 2024: Strap Tech Ara Wearable Mobility Device for the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hi You All<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I mostly like what this device can tell you, but…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>What do you think?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>RLN<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> <a href="mailto:tech-vi@groups.io">tech-vi@groups.io</a> <<a href="mailto:tech-vi@groups.io">tech-vi@groups.io</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>David Goldfield via groups.io<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, April 16, 2024 12:54 AM<br><b>To:</b> List <<a href="mailto:tech-vi@groups.io">tech-vi@groups.io</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> [Tech-VI] CSUN 2024: Strap Tech Ara Wearable Mobility Device for the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p>Podfeet Podcasts - Thursday, March 21, 2024, 12:13 PM<o:p></o:p></p><h1>CSUN 2024: Strap Tech Ara Wearable Mobility Device for the Blind<o:p></o:p></h1><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01DA90BA.68310210" alt="Image removed by sender."></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p>Allison interviews Javier De Leon from Strap Tech about Ara, their wearable smart device developed for the blind and visually impaired to move faster and safer in everyday life.<o:p></o:p></p><p>Ara is worn on the chest facing outward and has straps around the waist and over the shoulders to keep it in place. About the size of a hamburger bun, the device contains an array of advanced sensors to detect obstacles in the user’s path as they walk.<o:p></o:p></p><p>Ara provides accurate and timely alerts through haptic vibration patterns felt through the straps. Vibrations felt in the shoulder straps indicate an obstacle above the waist while vibrations in the waist straps indicate an obstacle below the waist. Vibrations in shoulder and waist straps mean a large obstacle, such as a wall, is ahead. When the user feels these vibrations, they turn until the vibration stops and continue their walk to avoid the obstacle.<o:p></o:p></p><p>Although Ara can be used on a stand-alone basis, it also has a mode for seamless integration with traditional mobility aids like white canes, guide dogs, or loved ones. Learning to use Ara is straightforward and intuitive.<o:p></o:p></p><p>Ara has a battery life of one full day and a smart on/off mode which automatically powers down the device if the user remains stationary for an extended period or takes a seat. Upon resuming the walk, Ara automatically powers back up.<o:p></o:p></p><p>Learn more at <a href="https://strap.tech/" target="_blank">https://strap.tech/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p>[embedded content] <o:p></o:p></p><p>Using a Screen Reader? <a href="https://youtu.be/kQFJchFzafg">click here</a><o:p></o:p></p><p><a href="https://www.podfeet.com/blog/2024/03/csun-2024-strap-tech/">https://www.podfeet.com/blog/2024/03/csun-2024-strap-tech/</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>David Goldfield,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Blindness Assistive Technology Specialist<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you need help using your assistive technology learn about my training services by visiting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="http://www.screenreadertraining.com/">WWW.ScreenReaderTraining.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Am Yisrael Chai<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Nation of Israel Lives!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="https://www.freedomscientific.com/Training/Certification/">JAWS Certified, 2022</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="https://certification.nvaccess.org/">NVDA Certified Expert</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Subscribe to the Tech-VI announcement list to receive news, events and information regarding the blindness assistive technology field.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Email: <a href="mailto:tech-vi+subscribe@groups.io">tech-vi+subscribe@groups.io</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="http://www.davidgoldfield.com/">www.DavidGoldfield.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'>_._,_._,_<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><hr size=1 width="100%" align=center></div><p class=MsoNormal>Groups.io Links:<o:p></o:p></p><p>You receive all messages sent to this group. <o:p></o:p></p><p><a href="https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/6776" target="_blank">View/Reply Online (#6776)</a> | <a href="mailto:tech-vi@groups.io?subject=Re:%20%5BTech-VI%5D%20CSUN%202024%3A%20Strap%20Tech%20Ara%20Wearable%20Mobility%20Device%20for%20the%20Blind" target="_blank">Reply To Group</a> | <a href="mailto:david.goldfield@outlook.com?subject=Private:%20Re:%20%5BTech-VI%5D%20CSUN%202024%3A%20Strap%20Tech%20Ara%20Wearable%20Mobility%20Device%20for%20the%20Blind" target="_blank">Reply To Sender</a> | <a href="https://groups.io/mt/105551937/429118" target="_blank">Mute This Topic</a> <br><a href="https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/editsub/429118">Your Subscription</a> | <a href="mailto:tech-vi+owner@groups.io">Contact Group Owner</a> | <a href="https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/leave/8992023/429118/183103599/xyzzy">Unsubscribe</a> [robertleslienewman@gmail.com]<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'>_._,_._,_<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></body></html>