[nfb-talk] Guide Bots

[Karen Rose]

I have long considered these ideas since at some time in the future my knee arthritis may have me switching to a power wheelchair and it would be wonderful to have guidance for such a fast power chair

Sent from my iPhone

On May 28, 2013, at 8:24 AM, "Michael Bullis" <bullis.michael at gmail.com> wrote:

> I've been thinking about a new travel device lately and would be interested
> in any feedback members might have.
> 
> I've been wondering lately if there is enough reasonably priced portable
> processing power available to make a guide bot.  
> 
> From looking on the web there are a few projects, mostly not very efficient
> ones.  There is a company called nst that is working on it but expects to
> bring a product to market in the 2020's.  The reason most projects are so
> difficult is that they are spending inordinate amounts of time and money
> teaching the guide bots to climb stairs and fully "lead" the blind  person.
> We know this is unnecessary.
> 
> If you remove the necessity to "lead" the blind person the project becomes
> much simpler.
> 
> The device doesn't need to climb stairs.  The blind person can simply lift
> it up or down.  This assumes of course that it is a lightweight  device.
> 
> For example, suppose you have a two wheeled device with two forward facing
> cameras  and a handle on it that you direct.  You push the device down the
> sidewalk let's say.  When it detects an object that you should go around, to
> the left, the left wheel has a brake on it.  When the left brake engages and
> slows the left wheel, the device naturally turns that direction.  The same
> thing happens if you want to go right.  If there's a curb coming, both
> wheels slowly engage their brakes.
> 
> At any time, if you as the person in charge wish to override the braking,
> you simply give a quick shove to the device.
> 
> The blind person provides the forward motion, eliminating any need for
> motive power.  The only thing the device needs power for is processing and
> braking.
> 
> Whether verbally, or with a small keypad, you tell the device what you want
> it to do.  If the device is going to talk to you at all it needs to be
> through an open-ear earbud.  But this may be unnecessary.
> 
> 
> 
> I believe it would require two cameras for measuring distance and for
> scanning both in front and to the sides.  
> 
> In order for the device to be practical it would have to solve problems that
> the cane and most dogs don't solve.  That is, it would have to detect
> objects at head height.  And, it would have to be fast.  The thing that
> limits a cane user in new territory is the necessity of slowing down while
> detecting an object and moving around it.  
> 
> 
> 
> I place a list of things below that are within reach of today's technology
> but I'm not sure if they are within the practical financial boundaries of a
> marketable device.
> 
> I thought those of you who think about matters like this might weigh in on
> this and let me know.
> 
> Here is my list of things the device could do.
> 
> 1.  avoiding objects-people and other interferences to the path of travel
> 
> 2.  Detecting objects as high as one's head.
> 
> 3.  identifying curbs and ramps
> 
> 4.  recognizing intersecting sidewalks or other paths of travel
> 
> 5.  finding doors
> 
> 6.  locating up or down stairs 
> 
> 7.  locating elevators
> 
> 8.  locating elevator buttons
> 
> 9.  finding restrooms
> 
> 10.  finding empty urinals
> 
> 11.  finding empty seats on busses or in conference rooms
> 
> 12.  returning to an already found seat
> 
> 13.  finding a bus stop
> 
> 14.  finding a specific address
> 
> 15.  following an indicated person
> 
> 
> 
> I'd be interested in feedback on this idea.
> 
> If you wish to write me off-line, do so at 
> 
> mbullis at imagemd.org
> 
> Thanks for your thinking.
> 
> Mike
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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