[Nfbmo] Fwd: [nfbmi-talk] Device for the Blind by Toyota

Roger Crome rogerc at lifecilmo.org
Mon Apr 18 21:26:24 UTC 2016 

This is an interesting device, and I can see a value to it as a mobility
tool.  It seems like this may be the new dawn of a different type of
assistive mobility device.  More and more companies are looking at expanding
technology to help create a bridge between visual queues and what those of
us who   still just use the simple pieces of technology like a cane can
access.  Another tool in the box.

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbmo [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dan Flasar via
Nfbmo
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2016 2:07 PM
To: nfbmo at nfbnet.org
Cc: DanFlasar at aol.com
Subject: Re: [Nfbmo] Fwd: [nfbmi-talk] Device for the Blind by Toyota

There's a lot more money being spent - and implementing - driveless  cars.  
Google has been pushing this for years, has performed test runs in  real
streets in real cities, has presented state and federal legislation to
regulate use of driverless cars and is looking for real deployment by the
end of this decade.
 
    Googles's self-guided car initiative didn't arise  from accessibility
concerns, but rather as a replacement for mass  transit. 
    I'm reminded of the old computer geek joke that if the  auto industry
had evolved as quickly as computers have you could carry your car  in  your
pocket, you could buy one for less than a hundred bucks and they  would
crash every 15 minutes.
 
 
Dan
 
 
 
In a message dated 4/18/2016 12:08:50 P.M. Central Daylight Time,
nfbmo at nfbnet.org writes:

Hi,

If they do, I hope they don't invest all that time and  money to just let it
sit in a garage.
Bryan


-----Original  Message-----
From: Nfbmo [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of  Peter Donahue
via Nfbmo
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2016 12:02 PM
To: NFB  of Missouri Mailing List
Cc: Peter Donahue
Subject: Re: [Nfbmo] Fwd:  [nfbmi-talk] Device for the Blind by Toyota


Hello  everyone,

I'd be curious to know if Toyota plans to  integrate this device in 
to their self-driving vehicles assuming they have  any under development 
to enable a blind person to "Drive" them  independently. Here's hoping 
they'll develop an interface similar to that  developed by the NFB and 
Virginia Tech to allow the blind to operate  self-driving vehicles 
independently.

Peter Donahue

Fred  Olver via Nfbmo wrote:
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>  Begin forwarded message:
>
>> From: "Terry D. Eagle via  nfbmi-talk" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Date: April 16, 2016 at  7:36:12 PM CDT
>> To: "'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'"  <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: "Terry D. Eagle"  <terrydeagle at yahoo.com>
>> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Device for the  Blind by Toyota
>> Reply-To: terrydeagle at yahoo.com, NFB of Michigan  Internet Mailing List
<nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>
>>  Toyota is developing a wearable device to help give blind and
>>  visually impaired people greater mobility, the manufacturer has  said.
>>
>> The gadget is worn on the shoulders and uses  cameras to recognise
>> surroundings, such as signs, then directs the  wearer with speakers and
>> vibration motors.
>>
>>  Details were released this week, though no release date has been  set.
>>
>> The Royal National Institute of Blind People  (RNIB) called it an
>> exciting development.
>>
>>  The device has been produced by developers working on Project  Blaid.
>> They said they were working on plans to introduce mapping,  object
>> identification and
>> facial recognition  technologies as well.
>>
>> It comes after Microsoft said it  had designed a headset that uses
>> location and navigation data with  a network of information beacons in
>> urban locations
>> to  talk visually impaired people around cities.
>>
>> Robin  Spinks, senior strategy manager at the RNIB, told the BBC: "This
>>  is a very exciting development within the rapidly growing field of
>>  wearable assistive
>> technology. Mobility is at the heart of so much  in our society and a
>> device like Blaid could open up limitless  possibilities for millions of
>> blind and
>> partially  sighted people."
>>
>> 'Mobility'
>>
>> In  an announcement made this week, Toyota said the device was not  meant
>> to replace those aids currently available to blind and  visually impaired
>> people,
>> but to "help fill the gaps  left by canes, dogs and basic GPS devices by
>> providing users with  more information about their surroundings".
>>
>> In a video  posted online,
>> it showed how the device could be used to  distinguish between one door
>> marked gentlemen's toilet and another  marked exit. Toyota said it was
>> primarily
>> intended to  help users navigate indoors.
>>
>> "Project Blaid is one  example of how Toyota is leading the way to the
>> future of  mobility, when getting around will be about more than just
>> cars,"  said
>> Toyota executive Simon Nagata. "We want to extend the freedom  of
>> mobility for all, no matter their circumstance, location or  ability."
>>
>> The firm said that, as part of the project -  which is not linked to the
>> manufacture of cars for which it is  better known - it was asking
>> employees to submit
>>  videos of common indoor landmarks that developers could use to teach  
the
>> device to recognise them
>> Posted originally  by:
>>
>> Victor Gouveia
>>  Vice-President
>> Training Coordinator
>> VIP  Tech
>> victor.gouveia at rogers.com
>>
>>  __._,_
>>
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m
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