Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
3
↓
Your opinion on ultrasonic devices (self.Blind)
submitted by Alumashka
One of my friends who lost his sight few years ago asked me yesterday about sonar-like devices, which could be worn and inform him (presumably via earphones) about large obstacles in his way etc - e.g. help him to navigate somehow both at home and outdoors.
I myself never seen such things but browsing internet I've found that some gadgets seems to be available even in our location. However there is little or no detailed information about them - and no feedback from users.
So could please someone either tell me of personal experience - or give a link where I can find more info for my friend.
His main questions are like this:
- what is usual working distance (I think - from one to several meters) and what time it works without recharging (e.g. can it work during one day);
- do these devices help in understanding the distance, not only presence of the obstacle (e.g. human, parked car) - is it by changing sound tone or something like this;
- how reliable it is - e.g what are most common problems leading to being misguided or bewildered while using such things;
If you can suggest some ready available device (e.g. at amazon / ebay) could you please hint proper keywords for I probably do not know exactly what to google for... Thank you in advance!
I myself never seen such things but browsing internet I've found that some gadgets seems to be available even in our location. However there is little or no detailed information about them - and no feedback from users.
So could please someone either tell me of personal experience - or give a link where I can find more info for my friend.
His main questions are like this:
- what is usual working distance (I think - from one to several meters) and what time it works without recharging (e.g. can it work during one day);
- do these devices help in understanding the distance, not only presence of the obstacle (e.g. human, parked car) - is it by changing sound tone or something like this;
- how reliable it is - e.g what are most common problems leading to being misguided or bewildered while using such things;
If you can suggest some ready available device (e.g. at amazon / ebay) could you please hint proper keywords for I probably do not know exactly what to google for... Thank you in advance!
intrepidia 3 points 7y ago
Take a look at the Buzzclip. It's got adjustable range and depth is communicated haptically. Batch 1 is nearing completion.
Most ultrasonic devices are subpar and interfere at a cognitive level with the work of navigation, this potentially can mitigate that. Disclosure I drink beer with the developers.
imerciv.com
Most ultrasonic devices are subpar and interfere at a cognitive level with the work of navigation, this potentially can mitigate that. Disclosure I drink beer with the developers.
imerciv.com
Alumashka [OP] 1 points 7y ago
Hi! Thanks for your input!
I passed the info to my friend and we browsed the site and description of the device - that is great for most of devices we read about before have far less detailed explanations.
My friend however is curious to know what is the benefit of using eh... haptic feedback instead of audio (hope I explained his question correctly) - for he had only insignificant experience with audio assisting devices and completely no experience with haptic ones. His first guess is that probably main idea is to keep ears free from annoying sounds - is it so?
I passed the info to my friend and we browsed the site and description of the device - that is great for most of devices we read about before have far less detailed explanations.
My friend however is curious to know what is the benefit of using eh... haptic feedback instead of audio (hope I explained his question correctly) - for he had only insignificant experience with audio assisting devices and completely no experience with haptic ones. His first guess is that probably main idea is to keep ears free from annoying sounds - is it so?
FluidicDivinityX 2 points 7y ago
The concern with these type of devices is that it would distract the user from the relevant sounds around them in their travels, more and more relative to how reliant they are on the device.
I know this is not what was requested, but I think this might be worth mentioning if they do not already know about it.
This sort of technique is possible by humans without using technology. Echolocation, to put a hot, if oversimplified, buzzword to it, is very real and very useful. I use it on a very small scale myself, but the more one invests time and patience into it the more rewarding it is. I recommend youtubing or googling Daniel Kish on the subject. He is sometimes referred to as "the guy that clicks."
Good luck! Happy and safe navigating~
I know this is not what was requested, but I think this might be worth mentioning if they do not already know about it.
This sort of technique is possible by humans without using technology. Echolocation, to put a hot, if oversimplified, buzzword to it, is very real and very useful. I use it on a very small scale myself, but the more one invests time and patience into it the more rewarding it is. I recommend youtubing or googling Daniel Kish on the subject. He is sometimes referred to as "the guy that clicks."
Good luck! Happy and safe navigating~
intrepidia 1 points 7y ago
Echo-location can be a very useful tool. Tongue clicking or finger snapping in public might not be the best way to look like a well adjusted person however....
intrepidia 1 points 7y ago
So my experience of this only is that audio and tactile + cognitive awareness of ones space when navigating can conflict with one another. haptic can be a better way of providing feedback without distracting a person as they are going about things.
[deleted] 2 points 7y ago
[deleted]
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.