tech geek Tech that allows more engaging experiences for the blind!

[FormerMember4]

Technology improves leaps and bounds. Often improving on tedious tasks and replacing outdated processes. Another thing that improves is accessibility with the technology.

As a blind individual who is fiercely independent... this is a welcome benefit of technology. Things like Alexa help me do 99.9% of things for myself. Technology is also allowing me to interact with the world at large on a greater scale.

An example of this will follow. Ford is working on a smart window that has vibrating sensors. Along with vibration, description is given to blind passenger as to what they are passing. This is amazing and a pretty ingenious use of technology. Riding in a car can be dreadfully boring for a blind individual.

Let me know what you think. Feel free to add more examples you’ve seen.

Ford Smart Window: https://www.engadget.com/2018/05/01/ford-smart-windows-help-blind-passengers-take-in-view/

Edited May 1, 2018 by BlindAmbition

[Dodger]

This is fantastic. Like most other sighted people, I suppose, I have never given any thought to things like this. As a passenger, it would be difficult for me to keep my eyes closed for an entire car journey, even if it's just local. I love to see technology like this. It's good to see car manufacturers putting money into projects like this. Thanks JP.

[W_L]

On 5/1/2018 at 12:55 PM, BlindAmbition said:

Technology improves leaps and bounds. Often improving on tedious tasks and replacing outdated processes. Another thing that improves is accessibility with the technology.

As a blind individual who is fiercely independent... this is a welcome benefit of technology. Things like Alexa help me do 99.9% of things for myself. Technology is also allowing me to interact with the world at large on a greater scale.

An example of this will follow. Ford is working on a smart window that has vibrating sensors. Along with vibration, description is given to blind passenger as to what they are passing. This is amazing and a pretty ingenious use of technology. Riding in a car can be dreadfully boring for a blind individual.

Let me know what you think. Feel free to add more examples you’ve seen.

Ford Smart Window: https://www.engadget.com/2018/05/01/ford-smart-windows-help-blind-passengers-take-in-view/

 

You and I are probably the 2 most active blind members of GA

 

Another very cool system that has been developed, with me as a guinea pig along with other low vision/blind volunteers, is a 3D Camera for blind navigation

https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/visually-impaired-3d-camera-haptic-feedback/

 

MIT has been working for years now on several projects geared at helping the blind by using tactile interface and 3D imaging advancements found in driver-less cars currently in testing. It's like having a different set of eyes, giving you feedback and telling you what's walk-able or not, simple object identification, and figuring depth.

 

On 6/9/2018 at 5:36 PM, Dodger said:

This is fantastic. Like most other sighted people, I suppose, I have never given any thought to things like this. As a passenger, it would be difficult for me to keep my eyes closed for an entire car journey, even if it's just local. I love to see technology like this. It's good to see car manufacturers putting money into projects like this. Thanks JP.

 

You should try walking in your own home with a blindfold, (make sure you put away anything sharp or dangerous of course), it would help you understand how people with low vision or completely blind navigate. I know sighted friends, who get new appreciations for their surroundings by trying it. Plus, I also think Netflix basically stole some of the concept with their movie "Bird Box"

[Dodger]

6 hours ago, W_L said:

 

You and I are probably the 2 most active blind members of GA

 

Another very cool system that has been developed, with me as a guinea pig along with other low vision/blind volunteers, is a 3D Camera for blind navigation

https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/visually-impaired-3d-camera-haptic-feedback/

 

MIT has been working for years now on several projects geared at helping the blind by using tactile interface and 3D imaging advancements found in driver-less cars currently in testing. It's like having a different set of eyes, giving you feedback and telling you what's walk-able or not, simple object identification, and figuring depth.

 

 

You should try walking in your own home with a blindfold, (make sure you put away anything sharp or dangerous of course), it would help you understand how people with low vision or completely blind navigate. I know sighted friends, who get new appreciations for their surroundings by trying it. Plus, I also think Netflix basically stole some of the concept with their movie "Bird Box"

I haven't seen 'Bird  Box', but I'm going to try this experiment using blacked out safety goggles, which should block out all light. I suspect it will be a lot more difficult and frustrating than it sounds, but I will take this seriously and let you know how I get on.