[NFBCS] Path Planning Application

Thu May 4 20:01:27 UTC 2023

This has been done in different iterations over the years with varying degrees of success.  

The most useful that worked the best also was the most useless as it annoyed the user too much to be used.

When I was a research scientist doing wayfinding research, we made all types of prototypes and also tested various products from inventors.  The best way to find an object as a “human” is to attach the reader node to the human head.  Whether this is a hat, head bsand, or some form of eywear, all degrees can be accommodated this way and the vestibular system of the human is utilized.  

I literally have a pair of glasses/goggles in storage that actually did what you are talking about using vibration.  I tested them and we did not even do a research study to confirm it.  It was an “expert” evaluation and the manufacturer verified the results with a number of other blind traveleres.  The problem was that the vibration was so pervasive on the persons face that it restricted their ability to readily use it.  It was like the entire front of the bridge of your nose and forehead were being rubbed with a rock.

From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione via NFBCS
Sent: Thursday, May 4, 2023 3:25 PM
To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List' <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
Cc: carcione at access.net
Subject: Re: [NFBCS] Path Planning Application

I think my husband might like something that warns of obstacles above the level of his cane, like tree branches or the big boxes on some crosswalk poles.  My dog looks out for those mostly, but his cane misses them, naturally.

There have been various gadgets that are supposed to detect obstacles over the years.  I remember the Mowat Sensor, and more recently the Buzzclip.  Both of them vibrated when an obstacle came into their range.  But the information was as useful as one would think.  Perhaps it took more practice than I gave it, because I was just messing with one for an hour or so. 

I don’t think most people would want to have to hold the phone in one hand and the cane in the other, though.  You’d still need a hand free to push buttons, open doors, carry whatever …

Tracy

From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of Derrick Day via NFBCS
Sent: Thursday, May 4, 2023 2:36 PM
To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: Derrick Day <brlkid at outlook.com <mailto:brlkid at outlook.com> >
Subject: Re: [NFBCS] Path Planning Application

I am blind, i was planning to use haptic feedback to convey obstacles and path information to users. For example two taps for left and 3 for right. This kind of feedback already exists for people wearing Apple Watches and using navigation applications, so my thoughts were that it wouldn’t lead to information overload or be hard to understand. 

What would you suggest including in the application either in addition to or as opposed to the obstacle notification and avoidance? You mentioned veering detection, is there any other functionality that you would like to see?

Thanks so much, 

Derrick C. Day

  _____  

From: NFBCS <nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org> > on behalf of Amanda Lacy via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org> >
Sent: Thursday, May 4, 2023 11:09:39 AM
To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: Amanda Lacy <lacy925 at gmail.com <mailto:lacy925 at gmail.com> >
Subject: Re: [NFBCS] Path Planning Application 

My echolocation skills are good enough that my husband has seen me duck to avoid a leaf. A single leaf. Blind people have real problems; I wish you would focus your skill and intelligence on those.

On May 4, 2023, at 1:23 AM, Sabra Ewing via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

I'm not sure if you are blind. I did fill out the form. You ask if these things are a contending factor when you travel, meaning are they there when you travel. 

You don't ask if blind people actually have trouble with them. the complicatedlanguage makes sure that blind people with intellectual disabilities can't take the survey.

I don't really like this idea but I'm not sure what other blind people think. I would like something to help with veering similar to the OKO app, but specifically focused on veering. maybe it could train you how to walk or tell you if your arc is getting lopsided.

I think you probably are not blind because I think a blind person would know that this is not what the majority of blind people want. I don't mean offense, but it is also not original because many sighted person thinks it would be so innovative to make an object avoiding app for blind people.

A cane is designed to hit obstacles and a dog already goes around obstacles. Blind people like me have echolocation. Someone like me who already can't focus on orientation and mobility at the same time will not be able to focus on an app telling me every obstacle it sees. it will be easier to just hit obstacles with a cane and go around them.

Sabra Ewing

On May 3, 2023, at 10:41 AM, Derrick Day via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbcs at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

Hello, my name is Derrick Day. I have created an application that uses sensors on the back of an iPhone to map your environment while traveling and notify you about obstacles before your cane can. It also is able to detect objects that are undetectable by a cane, such as tree branches and overgrown shrubs.  

Coincidentally, I am in a business class at my high school, and we are assembling a business plan. I decided to do all of my business class assignments on this real project I already am investing time into, so I made a google form to get feedback. I would greatly appreciate it if you could provide feedback for two reasons. For one, I am creating a computer vision model to recognize and classify the objects travelers encounter. Because of this, feedback is helpful to ensure the model is accurate and can detect the objects seen by its users. Secondly, I need at least 30 responses for my class assignment, although that comes secondary. I am genuinely interested in making this app into something useful, so I would love to gather information that can allow me to make it the best product possible.  

Please also send this form to anyone who you know that may be able to contribute information.  

Thank you all very much in advance for your insight and assistance and I look forward to seeing your responses!  

link to form:  

 <https://bit.ly/4123HHS> https://bit.ly/4123HHS 

Thanks so much, 

Derrick C Day, student of Westminster High School 

I have a website. Click  <http://brlkid.duckdns.org/> here to view it in your browser! 

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