I thought it would be a good read since we’re talking about technology being helpful to supplement the tools we already have. If they had a robot dog as a guide, I’d sign up so long as the AI is suitable enough to help me have an easier time navigating open spaces and other settings.
> On May 23, 2021, at 6:45 PM, goshawk on horseback > <goshawk_on_horseb...@fastmail.co.uk> wrote: > > I disagree. > there have already over this last couple of weeks alone, been conversations > on at least 4 other e-mail lists that I am on, about possible robot guide > dogs for example. > > Simon > > >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: CrazyEyez <mailto:bmkreco...@gmail.com> >> To: viphone@googlegroups.com <mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com> >> Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2021 10:50 PM >> 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 <mailto:garcesp...@gmail.com>> wrote: >>> >>> Hi everyone, >>> Thought this might be interesting to read. >>> >>> >>>> >>>> https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/03/25/innovations-ai-backpack-blind/ >>>> >>>> <https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/03/25/innovations-ai-backpack-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 <https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/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. >>>> <https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/02/19/smart-wheelchairs/?itid=lk_interstitial_manual_11> >>>> “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. >>>> <https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/03/15/social-media-accessibility-captions/?itid=lk_interstitial_manual_24> >>>> 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.” >>>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. >>> >>> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if >>> you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners >>> or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. >>> >>> Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor. Mark can be reached at: >>> mk...@ucla.edu <mailto:mk...@ucla.edu>. Your list owner is Cara Quinn - you >>> can reach Cara at caraqu...@caraquinn.com <mailto:caraqu...@caraquinn.com> >>> >>> The archives for this list can be searched at: >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/ >>> <http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/> >>> --- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "VIPhone" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>> email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com >>> <mailto:viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com>. >>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/viphone/71B01ACC-BE92-4700-9A6F-46E21CE99FC0%40gmail.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/viphone/71B01ACC-BE92-4700-9A6F-46E21CE99FC0%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. >> >> >> -- >> The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. >> >> If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if >> you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or >> moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. >> >> Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor. Mark can be reached at: >> mk...@ucla.edu <mailto:mk...@ucla.edu>. Your list owner is Cara Quinn - you >> can reach Cara at caraqu...@caraquinn.com <mailto:caraqu...@caraquinn.com> >> >> The archives for this list can be searched at: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/ >> <http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/> >> --- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "VIPhone" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com >> <mailto:viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com>. >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/viphone/8338B4BD-6D1D-4E65-8BC8-EB6184DAC1F8%40gmail.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/viphone/8338B4BD-6D1D-4E65-8BC8-EB6184DAC1F8%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. > > -- > The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. > > If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if > you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or > moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. > > Your V iPhone list moderator is Mark Taylor. Mark can be reached at: > mk...@ucla.edu <mailto:mk...@ucla.edu>. Your list owner is Cara Quinn - you > can reach Cara at caraqu...@caraquinn.com <mailto:caraqu...@caraquinn.com> > > The archives for this list can be searched at: > http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/ > <http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/> > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "VIPhone" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com > <mailto:viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com>. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/viphone/1fae01d75025%2452f79bd0%24fd01a8c0%40SimonPC > > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/viphone/1fae01d75025%2452f79bd0%24fd01a8c0%40SimonPC?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. -- The following information is important for all members of the V iPhone list. 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