[nfbwatlk] Interesting technology

[Gloria Whipple]

No way! I also like my white cane!


Gloria Whipple
Corresponding Secretary
Inland Empire chapter
nfb of WA


-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Mike Mello
Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2011 13:35
To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Interesting technology

No thank you! have you seen how slow they move? and really what about
stairs? I'll be sticking with my long white cane.
-Mike

On Sat, 12 Nov 2011 13:21:56 -0800, PUBLIC RADIO 113 wrote:

>My sister, Julie sent this my direction.  I appreciate her comment at the
>end.  What are your thoughts?

>Copied from Instructables:

>Abstract:
>Using the iRobot Roomba Create, I have prototyped a device called
>eyeRobot. It will guide blind and visually impaired users through
>cluttered and populated environments by using the Roomba as a base to
>marry the simplicity of the traditional white cane with the instincts
>of a seeing-eye dog. The user indicates his/her desired motion by
>intuitively pushing on and twisting the handle. The robot takes this
>information and finds a clear path down a hallway or across a room,
>using sonar to steer the user in a suitable direction around static
>and dynamic obstacles. The user then follows behind the robot as it
>guides the user in the desired direction by the noticeable force felt
>through the handle. This robotic option requires little training: push
>to go, pull to stop, twist to turn. The foresight the rangefinders
>provide is similar to a seeing eye dog, and is a considerable
>advantage over the constant trial and error that marks the use of the
>white cane. Yet eyeRobot still provides a much cheaper alternative
>than guide dogs, which cost over $12,000 and are useful for only 5
>years, while the prototype was built for well under $400. It is also a
>relatively simple machine, requiring a few inexpensive sensors,
>various potentiometers, some hardware, and of course, a Roomba Create.

>http://www.instructables.com/id/eyeRobot---The-Robotic-White-Cane/

>and then your battery goes dead in an hour and you need your cane or
>dog to find your way out. but its a neat idea.
>Julie

>-- 
>Paul Van Dyck

>www.publicradio113.weebly.com

>OR

>www.kboo.fm/soundsofawareness
>_______________________________________________
>nfbwatlk mailing list
>nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwatlk_nfbnet.org
>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
nfbwatlk:
>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbwatlk_nfbnet.org/mike%40mello.com


Michael J. Mello

mike at mello.com

(208) 301-0565

_______________________________________________
nfbwatlk mailing list
nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwatlk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
nfbwatlk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbwatlk_nfbnet.org/ladygloria%40webband.c
om