[nfb-talk] Guide Bots

Gloria Whipple glowhi at centurylink.net
Tue May 28 19:48:22 UTC 2013


I also don't like it and I set them straight on what it is.

Gloria Whipple


-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-talk [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Joshua
Lester
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 12:46
To: NFB Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Guide Bots

Hi, Mrs. Gloria!
I get so tired of ignorant ideots calling my cane a "stick!"
Blessings, Joshua
________________________________________
From: nfb-talk [nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of Gloria Whipple
[glowhi at centurylink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 2:35 PM
To: 'Misty Dawn Bradley'; 'NFB Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Guide Bots

Hi Misty,

I agree with you on the GPS.

I have had people tell me to leave my stick if I am going sighted guide with
them. I tell them that my so called stick is part of me. I don't leave home
without it.

Gloria Whipple


-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-talk [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Misty Dawn
Bradley
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 10:42
To: NFB Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Guide Bots

I am the same way. I have been using my cane since I was in kindergarten or
first grade, which is about 20 years ago, so I don't feel right when I don't

have my cane with me. I also like the challenge of figuring out things on my

own, although it is nice to have a GPS sometimes, but it is not a necessity.
Misty

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gloria Whipple" <glowhi at centurylink.net>
To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 1:33 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Guide Bots


>I am not sure about this. I am so use to using my cane and like it.
>
> Gloria Whipple
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-talk [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Steve
> Jacobson
> Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 10:28
> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Guide Bots
>
> Mike,
>
> To me, the idea of a device that is responsible for guiding, even if made
> simpler as described here, adds so much complexity and
> size that really has limited advantage to my way of thinking.  A small
> device that could be mounted on a cane or connected to a
> dog's leash to detect objects and provide feedback would provide most of
> what a guiding device would without the size and other
> complicating issues.  Why does it have to aim itself at all if the blind
> person were to receive enough information to do the
> aiming from a smaller travel aid?
>
> Best regards,
>
> Steve Jacobson
>
>
> On Tue, 28 May 2013 11:24:59 -0400, Michael Bullis wrote:
>
>>I've been thinking about a new travel device lately and would be
>>interested
>>in any feedback members might have.
>
>>I've been wondering lately if there is enough reasonably priced portable
>>processing power available to make a guide bot.
>
>>From looking on the web there are a few projects, mostly not very
>>efficient
>>ones.  There is a company called nst that is working on it but expects to
>>bring a product to market in the 2020's.  The reason most projects are so
>>difficult is that they are spending inordinate amounts of time and money
>>teaching the guide bots to climb stairs and fully "lead" the blind
>>person.
>>We know this is unnecessary.
>
>>If you remove the necessity to "lead" the blind person the project becomes
>>much simpler.
>
>>The device doesn't need to climb stairs.  The blind person can simply lift
>>it up or down.  This assumes of course that it is a lightweight  device.
>
>>For example, suppose you have a two wheeled device with two forward facing
>>cameras  and a handle on it that you direct.  You push the device down the
>>sidewalk let's say.  When it detects an object that you should go around,
> to
>>the left, the left wheel has a brake on it.  When the left brake engages
> and
>>slows the left wheel, the device naturally turns that direction.  The same
>>thing happens if you want to go right.  If there's a curb coming, both
>>wheels slowly engage their brakes.
>
>>At any time, if you as the person in charge wish to override the braking,
>>you simply give a quick shove to the device.
>
>>The blind person provides the forward motion, eliminating any need for
>>motive power.  The only thing the device needs power for is processing and
>>braking.
>
>>Whether verbally, or with a small keypad, you tell the device what you
>>want
>>it to do.  If the device is going to talk to you at all it needs to be
>>through an open-ear earbud.  But this may be unnecessary.
>
>>
>
>>I believe it would require two cameras for measuring distance and for
>>scanning both in front and to the sides.
>
>>In order for the device to be practical it would have to solve problems
> that
>>the cane and most dogs don't solve.  That is, it would have to detect
>>objects at head height.  And, it would have to be fast.  The thing that
>>limits a cane user in new territory is the necessity of slowing down while
>>detecting an object and moving around it.
>
>>
>
>>I place a list of things below that are within reach of today's technology
>>but I'm not sure if they are within the practical financial boundaries of
>>a
>>marketable device.
>
>>I thought those of you who think about matters like this might weigh in on
>>this and let me know.
>
>>Here is my list of things the device could do.
>
>>1.  avoiding objects-people and other interferences to the path of travel
>
>>2.  Detecting objects as high as one's head.
>
>>3.  identifying curbs and ramps
>
>>4.  recognizing intersecting sidewalks or other paths of travel
>
>>5.  finding doors
>
>>6.  locating up or down stairs
>
>>7.  locating elevators
>
>>8.  locating elevator buttons
>
>>9.  finding restrooms
>
>>10.  finding empty urinals
>
>>11.  finding empty seats on busses or in conference rooms
>
>>12.  returning to an already found seat
>
>>13.  finding a bus stop
>
>>14.  finding a specific address
>
>>15.  following an indicated person
>
>>
>
>>I'd be interested in feedback on this idea.
>
>>If you wish to write me off-line, do so at
>
>>mbullis at imagemd.org
>
>>Thanks for your thinking.
>
>>Mike
>
>>
>
>>
>
>>
>
>>
>
>>_______________________________________________
>>nfb-talk mailing list
>>nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nfb-talk:
>>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/steve.jacobson%40vis
i
> .com
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-talk mailing list
> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nfb-talk:
>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/glowhi%40centurylink.n
> et
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-talk mailing list
> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nfb-talk:
>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/mistydbradley%40gmail.
com


_______________________________________________
nfb-talk mailing list
nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
nfb-talk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/glowhi%40centurylink.n
et


_______________________________________________
nfb-talk mailing list
nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
nfb-talk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/jlester8462%40pccuaedu
.onmicrosoft.com



_______________________________________________
nfb-talk mailing list
nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
nfb-talk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org/glowhi%40centurylink.n
et





More information about the nFB-Talk mailing list