[NFBCS] Path Planning Application

Thu May 4 20:16:35 UTC 2023

My apologies for not responding to the original post, apparently I missed it.

You mentioned this idea was part of a business class, did you research before you came up with that idea? There is a product already on the market that does the same thing that your current product idea does. It’s called the Sonos band, it’s a rest device that you wear preferably on the hand with the cane in it. 

That being said, this idea could pivot and be more beneficial for someone seeking a specific object, i.e. a door into a building or the second light pole on the left. Using the current haptics of iPhones and I believe android, alter the user interface and “tag” The door to their doctors office in a strip of doors with no other sensory indications. For example, the only way I’m able to find my doctors office is because it’s on the corner. It’s outside and in a long line of doors.

For some people, myself included, levels of sidewalk are very important, so an indication of that would also be helpful. again though as others have stated having to actually hold your phone and use your cane at the same time means you don’t have a hand free. That also means you can’t use something like a support cane.

I would love to explore this further and will be happy to give any more feedback that you might need. You’re more than welcome to reach out privately if you wish using the email address provided in your form.

Thanks and best of luck,
Sarah
Email: Rayndarren at gmail.com
Text: 714-852-3238

> On May 4, 2023, at 12:36 PM, Amanda Lacy via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> If it's a big box though, and he's not hearing impaired, he should be able to hear it.
> 
>> On May 4, 2023, at 2:24 PM, Tracy Carcione via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> 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> 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>
>> Cc: Derrick Day <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> on behalf of Amanda Lacy via NFBCS <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, May 4, 2023 11:09:39 AM
>> To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Amanda Lacy <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> 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> 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 
>>>>  
>>>> Thanks so much, 
>>>> Derrick C Day, student of Westminster High School 
>>>> I have a website. Click here to view it in your browser! 
>>>>  
>>>> 
>>>>  
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>>> 
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>> 
>>  
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