[Njabs-talk] NJABS Minutes 091210

Benjamin Vercellone benvercellone at gmail.com
Thu Sep 16 02:14:02 UTC 2010



NJABS Minutes for Sunday, September 12, 2010

8:02 PM: Evelyn Valdez, President, welcomes everyone back from summer 
vacation.

8:03 PM: NFB Pledge read by Shafeka Hashash, Vice President.

8:04 PM: Evelyn introduces Anil Louis.

8:05 PM: Anil Louis introduces himself. He is now on office at the 
National center. He is part of the public relations with the Blind 
Driver Challenge. Trying to develop a non-visual interface which will 
allow a blind person to drive a car. NFB is calling on colleges and 
universities to join us in this challenge. Only Virginia Tech so far 
took up the challenge, directed by Denis Hong. The First blind drivable 
car was in 2009, demonstrated at the youth slam. It was a little red 
dune buggy. Anil lost his sight at age 25. He had his dream car. The 
blind driver challenge is very controversial internally and externally. 
Some people who don't think we can drive are the same people who don't 
think we can do anything. Some other people think we can do some things 
but not operate technology such as this. People with the Blind Driver 
Challenge are doing a variety of different things now. It is crude at 
this point. This is a groundbreaking step now. There are also people in 
the organization who don't think we should do this. They are concerned 
about employment and education, and think we are spending too much money 
on this project. If we were trying to develop the automobile on our own, 
that may be the case. We are trying to make the interface not the car. 
There will be other practical uses for this technology. Creating an 
interface for visual information to be given to us in non-visual ways. 
We should talk to individuals who may be reluctant and educate them. How 
much will this cost? What is being designed will be introduced into 
mainstream technology. We have to get our members behind this effort. 
Then we can worry about public opinion. There are people who think they 
know what it's like to be blind by closing their eyes. This is not true, 
and we have to continue to fight that misconception. Next generation of 
technology is being worked on by Virginia Tech Blind Driver Challenge 
team. They are mounting technology into a Ford Escape. A big event 
coming up is the Jan 29 Rolex 24 2011. This is a large race. The car 
will be driven on the same track by a blind driver before the race. 
Driver is not going to race the car. Who is the blind driver going to 
be? Have not determined this yet. Don't yet know the criteria. If you 
are interested in driving this car, email bdc at nfb.org 
<mailto:bdc at nfb.org>. There are many people who want to do this. The 
driver will have to commit to training before Jan 29. First system in 
2009 was more instructional. It would tell the driver when to turn in 
order to avoid hitting cones. Now have more tools like drive grip for 
example. Playing with air pix which shoots air out of many little holes 
at different pressures, so the blind driver can feel a representation of 
his or her surroundings. Want to go from being instructional to 
environmental. Challenge to find a variety of non-visual interfaces. 
There is a mainstream rumor of a car that drives itself. We want to be 
able to make driving decisions though, and not have the car do it 
completely for us. Lexis and Mersaidies both have systems that don't 
allow you to tailgate. Have auto slow down. Other mainstream technology 
like auto park. We are in the fundamental stage now. As society develops 
other things, we will be able to capitalize on those infrastructures 
also. We now have the ability of the laser range finders and cameras and 
other things. Negotiating the logistics for the Rolex 2011 event. May 
not drive the entire track. Want the blind person alone so people don't 
speculate. Will it be on TV or online? Working out those logistics now. 
Want our members to be active in what's going on. Can't have a blind 
person drive on the highway yet. Biggest barrier is changing the social 
attitudes. Car does go on the highway, but a sighted person needs to 
drive still. This car is a road ready vehicle. Our goal is the highway. 
Do we know a time frame? There is the Jan 29 Rolex event. Also planning 
a big event in Orlando, but Anil could not share the details. We will be 
progressive and ever growing. Old cars had cranks, but they developed 
beyond that. Doesn't stop when we develop the car that we can drive. All 
based on how many partners and how creative they are. Their talent to 
our challenge. This project was highlighted at the National Instruments 
Conference. Can see presentation at blind driver challenge website.

www.blinddriverchallenge.org <http://www.blinddriverchallenge.org>

This project has so far been received well. If there is competition, 
there will be an exponential effect. Person who will be driving has not 
been decided yet. In the process of getting a simulator. Necessity to 
spend time in the vehicle. Only negative feedback is about spending 
resources. All over the web and news stream. Can't buy that type of 
press. Paying for itself. Question from a sighted person. If something 
happens, will that impede the campaign? Some risk. Don't foresee 
problems. Maybe a hiccup if there is a problem. Obstacle avoidance is 
primary function. Like in the dune buggy which avoided the cones. How 
info is communicated depends on the interfaces.

8:39: Evelyn thanks Anil. He was able to answer a lot of questions.

You can email him at alewis at nfb.org <mailto:alewis at nfb.org>

You can visit www.blinddriverchallenge.org

Talked a little bit more. 2 ford hybrids being used now. Only road rated 
vehicles chosen to use at this time. Is there a blind person right now 
doing this? Yes. Active participation is important. There is a person 
who has never driven and a person who has driven who are working on 
this. Person from both sides. Email Anil if you have questions, or go to 
the website also.

8:43 PM: Anil leaves.

Evelyn raps up about Anil and bdc.

Want to make sure we are all signed up to Nfbnet.org. Go to 
www.nfbnet.org <http://www.nfbnet.org>. Activate the link for join or 
drop nfb mailing lists. Then you can find the NJABS mailing list. They 
are arranged alphabetically.

NFB is actively involved in the Pepsi refresh. Trying to get Youth Slam 
to receive $250000grant by Pepsi. One way to vote is to text 73774 to 
the number 101913 and hit send.

Do this every day in the month of September. Thanks for your vote.

Then talked about our state convention from Nov 5 to 7. There are a 
couple goodies. Friday, Nov 5, we will have our first annual fashion 
show. This is a modeling opportunity for guys and girls. It will be 
recorded and put on YouTube. Please contact Linda Thomas if you want to 
participate, and tell her your kind of outfit.

Lindazani at aol.com <mailto:Lindazani at aol.com>

Have until Oct 1 to make that decision. This is if you like attention. 
All of the NJABS board will be participating as models for fashion show. 
Probably a limit of 20 models. Email her. She will talk you through what 
outfit to wear. Wear your own clothes.

Talent show also. Ran by Jane Degenshine. If you wish to participate, 
contact her at

Jdegen16 at comcast.net <mailto:Jdegen16 at comcast.net>

Other great announcement. Our NABS student rep Karen Anderson is joining 
us. During student meeting Fri she can address us. Hope everybody 
attends the student meeting. Her first time in Jersey. Give her a huge 
NJ Welcome. NFB NJ registration form for the state convention will be 
posted on the list serve.

8:53 PM

Shafeka wrote up the proposal for a $3000 grant from the imagination 
fund. NJABS applied for one. 3000 dollars. Not gotten it yet. They are 
good about giving grants to student groups. May get more or less. It 
will be posted when we here back.

Can plan in detail our student seminar for the spring. If you wish to be 
part of the planning committee, email

shafekah at gmail.com <mailto:shafekah at gmail.com>

Will need all of our participation for the students convention.

8:55 PM

Members present:

Evelyn Valdez - President.

Shafeka Hashash - Vice President.

Benjamin Vercellone - Secretary/treasurer.

Greg Rivera - Board member.

Danny Romero.

Jason and Jeremy.

Bryan Mackey.

Jessica Scannell.

Carlos Herrera.

Marie Lomax.

9:02 pm: Evelyn thanked us for participating and people left.

Respectfully submitted,

Benjamin Vercellone

NJABS, Secretary




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