Latest posts by Corbb O'Connor (see all)
- New research: Proposed, global standard for quiet cars won’t benefit average blind person - June 30, 2015
- Learning to Type with a Simple ‘Keystroke’ - October 28, 2014
- Unique Certification Organization Recognized with $20,000 Award - July 29, 2014
- Help Blind People Combat the Tendency to Rock Back and Forth - July 16, 2014
- Routine Class Project Changes First Grader’s Mind - June 12, 2014
I came across a story from MedCity News yesterday entitled, “Sensors, cameras, GPS & algorithms meet in a wearable device to help the blind navigate.”
Through a partnership between Draper Laboratory, Auburn University, and the National Federation of the Blind, researchers are hoping to create an entirely new class of technology. The story reports
“Current products made to help the blind navigate rely heavily on GPS, which isn’t always detailed or accurate enough to distinguish between, say, a sidewalk and a street, Draper says. Plus, GPS isn’t always available in places like parking garages, underground transit stations and sports venues, and it doesn’t pick up on obstacles like crowds and cars.
“Draper’s invention hinges on two cameras that assess how much distance has been covered by the vehicle or person they’re attached to. In a process called visual odometry, its technology draws directional and distance information from the camera images. Then it maps the detected objects in a given environment.”
The design of the technology is still under development, but the working theory is that this could be incorporated into a pair of glasses. A prototype isn’t expected until 2015.
I was initially skeptical, for I feared some blind people would leave their canes at home and attempt to appear sighted when traveling in public. I travel with my cane, and feel very safe and independent, but Ryan Strunk—who is blind and reviews the accessibility of new software—had this to say on Twitter last night:
@corbb I want a device that will let me run anywhere independently at a speed faster than a slow jog. I'd try it. 🙂
— Ryan Strunk (@rstrunk) November 8, 2013
A very good point, and perhaps this will motivate me to go exercise. (By then, though, I’ll find another excuse to exercise my cooking skills.)
What do you think? Post below in the comments.
Latest posts by Corbb O'Connor (see all)
- New research: Proposed, global standard for quiet cars won’t benefit average blind person - June 30, 2015
- Learning to Type with a Simple ‘Keystroke’ - October 28, 2014
- Unique Certification Organization Recognized with $20,000 Award - July 29, 2014
- Help Blind People Combat the Tendency to Rock Back and Forth - July 16, 2014
- Routine Class Project Changes First Grader’s Mind - June 12, 2014
