depends on how it is funded.
Simon
----- Original Message -----
From: "Caitlyn Furness" <caitlyn.furn...@gmail.com>
To: "'Ray T. Mahorney' via VIPhone" <viphone@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 4:42 PM
Subject: Re: Could a smart backpack replace guide dogs? Researchers think
so. - The Washington Post
Also, how affordable will it be for the average blind person?
Cait
On May 24, 2021, at 11:32 AM, mich verrier <mi...@eastlink.ca> wrote:
Hi I have to ask when or even if this tech will ever get in the hands of
blind people? Or for that madder even if there are any blind people in
this prodo type development? So many of these ideas never seem to get off
of the ground and are just flashes in the pan and never herd of again.
From Mich.
-----Original Message-----
From: viphone@googlegroups.com <viphone@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of
Christopher Chaltain
Sent: May 24, 2021 11:07 AM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Could a smart backpack replace guide dogs? Researchers think
so. - The Washington Post
I also don't see the harm in researching and exploring different options.
Sure the technology is in it's early stages, and kinks need to be worked
out, but how is this different from any other technology, such as smart
phones using a touch screen? I can see where people wouldn't think this
would be an option for themselves, but that is why choice is important,
and just because someone doesn't use something doesn't make it ridiculous.
Ditto for using a cane or a guide dog. The bottom line is being
independent, and if a cane works for someone then they're personality
shouldn't be called into question.
--
Christopher (AKA CJ)
Chaltain at Outlook
-----Original Message-----
From: viphone@googlegroups.com <viphone@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Ed
Worrell
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 10:10 AM
To: 'Carol Pearson' via VIPhone <viphone@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Could a smart backpack replace guide dogs? Researchers think
so. - The Washington Post
I don’t see the harm in them/companies creating different options for
travel. The robot assistant still feels a ways off for me. I commend them
for looking outside the box.
I personally think that a robot dog, or robot helping me walk down the
road is probably the future, but it still won’t replace the companionship
of the guide dog. The will never be able to replace that aspect no matter
how hard they try.
Ed
On May 24, 2021, at 5:12 AM, Johna Gravitt <jgrav...@benderconsult.com>
wrote:
I agree. Also, what about getting you around construction or stopping
you at curbs or steps?
Secondary navigation aids are a great idea and I for one would love to
test some out but I’ll stick with my fury friend as well.
I did try a robot guide in a study a while back and it was definitely
interesting but I still feel safer with my dog or Cain.
Johna
From: viphone@googlegroups.com <viphone@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of
CJ & AA MAY
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 2:53 AM
To: viphone@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Could a smart backpack replace guide dogs? Researchers
think so. - The Washington Post
I think that such equipment could be useful as a secondary mobility aid,
but really don’t see it replacing a cane or a dog. It isn’t enough to
know that a person is approaching you, you need to know which way to go
to avoid that person or obstacle. It would require tremendous
concentration when navigating a busy shop or trying to find your way back
to the exit.
Think I’ll stick with my dog, but I can see that one day there will be
useful secondary mobility aids.
Alison
From: viphone@googlegroups.com<viphone@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of
CrazyEyez
Sent: 23 May 2021 22:50
To: viphone@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Could a smart backpack replace guide dogs? Researchers
think so. - The Washington Post
honestly this is stupid.
Another money grab.
You'll never ever replace the cane.
Sent from my iPhone
On May 23, 2021, at 4:54 PM, Priscilla Garces (prisci)
<garcesp...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi everyone,
Thought this might be interesting to read.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/03/25/innovations-ai-ba
ckpack-blind/
Researchers design an AI-powered backpack for the visually impaired
Artificial intelligence researchers hope the bag will one day replace
canes and guide dogs
Dalvin Brown
March 25, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EDT
Researchers at the University of Georgia created an AI-powered
backpack to help visually impaired people navigate the outside world.
(Intel) Among the latest iterations of next-generation assistive
accessories is a backpack powered by Intel’s artificial intelligence
software. It’s designed to audibly alert wearers when they’re approaching
possibly hazardous situations like crosswalks or strangers.
The backpack, which has yet to be named, was revealed Wednesday but could
face years of development before a consumer-ready version is launched.
Still, the product offers a glimpse at what a future could look like as
progress in AI and machine learning increasingly help people with vision
issues better perceive their environments and, therefore, live more
independently.
The backpack was created by researchers at the University of Georgia, who
took existing computer vision techniques and combined them into a system
that seeks to replace the need for a cane or guide dog.
Irony was really the driving force behind the idea, according to Jagadish
K. Mahendran, the lead researcher at the University of Georgia who also
specializes in computer vision for robots.
What's next for wheelchairs? Maybe autonomy.
“I met with my visually impaired friend, and she was describing problems
to me that she faces daily. And I was struck: For the past few years, I’ve
been teaching robots how to see things while there are people who cannot
see things and need help,” Mahendran said.
There’s nothing outwardly special about the backpack’s design: It looks
like an ordinary gray knapsack with a small computer, such as a laptop,
inside. A match-box-sized GPS unit is affixed to the outside.
In a demonstration video, the user also wears a vest with tiny holes to
conceal an embedded AI camera. When connected to the computer, the 4K
camera captures depth and color information used to help people avoid
things like hanging branches. The camera can also be embedded in a fanny
pack or other waist-worn pouches.
The spatial camera, built by the computer vision company Luxonis, can
read signs, detect crosswalks and see coming changes in elevation.
Bluetooth earphones allow the user to communicate with the system and
vice versa. So the wearer can ask out loud for location information, and
the system will tell them where they are. If the camera spots a threat
like an incoming pedestrian, it can tell the wearer.
It’s too soon to know how much such a device would cost consumers, but
several start-ups and organizations are working to solve the same issues,
and the tech doesn’t come cheap.
WeWALK’s smart cane with obstacle detection sells for $600, 10 times as
much as an ordinary white cane. OrCam MyEye Pro, a wireless smart camera
that reads what’s in front of you, runs $4,250.
Social media has upped its accessibility game. But deaf creators say it
has a long way to go.
Researchers at the University of Georgia went with a backpack design
because it would help visually impaired people avoid unwanted attention.
They used Intel’s Movidius computing chip because it was small and
powerful enough to run advanced AI functions with low latency.
The next step is to raise funds and expand testing. They hope to one day
unleash an open-source, AI-based, visual-assistance system. The
researchers have formed a team called Mira, made up of some visually
impaired volunteers.
“We want this solution to be inclusive and as transparent as possible,”
Mahendran said. “Our main motto is to increase the involvement of
visually impaired people in their daily activities and reduce their
dependency on others.”
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