Exactly, if people had to pay for their guide dog very few could afford one. I 
guess it would be like buying a new car every 8 years, you would go to the 
bank, take out a $35,000 or $40,000 loan and pay $400 or $500 a month, then 
when it's time for a new dog you could still sell your old one for $500 or $800 
to somebody who wants a well-trained pet knowing it would only be around for 2 
or 3 or maybe 5 years at the most.

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of goshawk 
on horseback
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 11:30 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Could a smart backpack replace guide dogs? Researchers think so. - 
The Washington Post
Importance: High

depends on how it is funded.

Simon


----- Original Message -----
From: "Caitlyn Furness" <[email protected]>
To: "'Ray T. Mahorney' via VIPhone" <[email protected]>
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 <[email protected]> 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: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of 
> Christopher Chaltain
> Sent: May 24, 2021 11:07 AM
> To: [email protected]
> 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: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of 
> Ed Worrell
> Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 10:10 AM
> To: 'Carol Pearson' via VIPhone <[email protected]>
> 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 
>> <[email protected]>
>> 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: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf 
>> Of CJ & AA MAY
>> Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 2:53 AM
>> To: [email protected]
>> 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: [email protected]<[email protected]> On Behalf Of 
>> CrazyEyez
>> Sent: 23 May 2021 22:50
>> To: [email protected]
>> 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) 
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> Hi everyone,
>> Thought this might be interesting to read.
>>
>>
>>
>> https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/03/25/innovations-ai-b
>> a
>> 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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