Students Develop E-Cane to Guide the Blind

[rockin'robin]

DETROIT - A cane equipped with the technology that retailers use to tag merchandise could help blind people avoid obstacles.

An engineering professor and five students at Central Michigan University have created a "Smart Cane" to read electronic navigational tags installed between buildings to aid the blind in reaching their destinations more easily.

"This project started as a way for me to teach students to see and understand the ways that engineering can be used for the greater good," said Kumar Yelamarthi, the professor and project leader. "We wanted to do something that would help people and make our campus more accessible."

During the spring term, Yelamarthi and five senior engineering students tested the cane, which is equipped with Radio Frequency Identification technology, similar to what retailers put on products to keep them from being stolen.

The Smart Cane contains an ultrasonic sensor that is paired with a miniature navigational system inside a messenger-style bag worn across the shoulder.

For the test, the students installed identification tags between two buildings on the campus in Mount Pleasant, Mich.. A speaker located on the bag strap gave audio alerts when the system detected an obstacle and told the user which direction to move.

Students wearing glasses that simulate visual impairment tested the cane.

The students also created a vibrating glove to assist those who are both visually and hearing-impaired.

Yelamarthi said it's one of the first outdoor applications of RFID and said he plans for students in upcoming classes to further refine the system while he seeks grants to speed the research.

The next step probably involves using the system in a wider area. Down the line, Yelamarthi wants to work toward integrating the Smart Cane's data with GPS.


Students develop cane with e-tags to guide blind by AP: Yahoo! Tech

 

[Aleser]

These gadgets come and go every few years. They are heavy, expensive, and outright impractical.

 

[Heath]

Yeah look at the first TTY's to now, today is Sidekicks and BB's etc.

Give it time then our blind brothers and sisters will be able to enjoy and reap the rewards of hi-tech equipment that improves the quality of life.

 

[VamPyroX]

Yeah look at the first TTY's to now, today is Sidekicks and BB's etc.

Give it time then our blind brothers and sisters will be able to enjoy and reap the rewards of hi-tech equipment that improves the quality of life.

That's true.

Usually, the first device is big and bulky. Once the overall design and concept is understood, a smaller and practical device can be developed.

 

[Aleser]

Yeah look at the first TTY's to now, today is Sidekicks and BB's etc.

Give it time then our blind brothers and sisters will be able to enjoy and reap the rewards of hi-tech equipment that improves the quality of life.

No, it doesn't 'improve quality of life'- it makes you someone assumed so incapable that you need technology and hand-holding to navigate. That is VASTLY different than a tty.

 

[Mrs Bucket]

Aleser, I disagree with you.

I believe any kind of help via a device is wonderful to have.

This device may or may not improve the quality of life because the need of an intervenor/guide may not be as great as before.

To be able to roam around campus without someone is wonderful and very independent, therefore does improve the quality of life.

Technology does improve my life and I don't see how technology can be perceived as negative.

 

[Aleser]

Aleser, I disagree with you.

I believe any kind of help via a device is wonderful to have.

This device may or may not improve the quality of life because the need of an intervenor/guide may not be as great as before.

To be able to roam around campus without someone is wonderful and very independent, therefore does improve the quality of life.

Technology does improve my life and I don't see how technology can be perceived as negative.

If you can't navigate campus without an electronic gadget or a human guide, well, to put it bluntly: you're doing it all wrong.

Switching to dependence on electronic devices is really not a solution to having unacceptable O&M skills.

 

[Mrs Bucket]

If you can't navigate campus without an electronic gadget or a human guide, well, to put it bluntly: you're doing it all wrong.

Switching to dependence on electronic devices is really not a solution to having unacceptable O&M skills.

This is where I agree with you as a blind person must have excellent O & M skills in order to navigate independently.

I had to train with O & M in order to be able to guide independently and to this day I still get offended when some people think I should use the elevator when I am able to step on/off the escalator safely with my white cane.

It's my belief that some blind people [I know quite a few, unfortunately!] will never accept their vision loss and are holding out for a magic solution like the electronic cane. They think it will be the answer to their prayers but you and I know it may answer their prayers but not for long.

They must have excellent O & M training first because they must learn how to navigate using their hands & fingers on the walls, doorknobs. The e-cane will not be able to do that for them.

This is where the pros and cons comes in. I guess it's us, old school of the white cane, that will disagree with the electronic devices.

Just recently I ordered the telescopic white cane from NFB and I'm still preferrring my old white cane that breaks down manually instead of pushing the cane inside and propping the cane outside.

The telescopic cane isn't sturdy and only good for lightweight tapping. I'm used to tapping, roaming with the sturdy cane.

There's always pros and cons but for us .. we need dependability and reliability.. not empty promises.

 

[Lissa]

What is O & M?

 

[Heath]

What is O & M?

Lisa, that would be orientation and mobility training ...

O&M Training: Is one harder than the other? - Message Boards - American Foundation for the Blind

 

[Aleser]

This is where I agree with you as a blind person must have excellent O & M skills in order to navigate independently.

I had to train with O & M in order to be able to guide independently and to this day I still get offended when some people think I should use the elevator when I am able to step on/off the escalator safely with my white cane.

It's my belief that some blind people [I know quite a few, unfortunately!] will never accept their vision loss and are holding out for a magic solution like the electronic cane. They think it will be the answer to their prayers but you and I know it may answer their prayers but not for long.

They must have excellent O & M training first because they must learn how to navigate using their hands & fingers on the walls, doorknobs. The e-cane will not be able to do that for them.

This is where the pros and cons comes in. I guess it's us, old school of the white cane, that will disagree with the electronic devices.

Just recently I ordered the telescopic white cane from NFB and I'm still preferrring my old white cane that breaks down manually instead of pushing the cane inside and propping the cane outside.

The telescopic cane isn't sturdy and only good for lightweight tapping. I'm used to tapping, roaming with the sturdy cane.

There's always pros and cons but for us .. we need dependability and reliability.. not empty promises.

The only folding cane I had, was an ambutech cane. It rattled a lot and was very heavy and I did not at all feel confident traveling with it. I prefer a rigid cane or a telescoping cane for, as you said, lighter use (or when it's impractical to carry a 59 inch stick around!)

But, yes, that is in a nutshell why I dislike these 'new gadgets' that promise to open doors for blind people: relying on these tools closes far more doors than it opens. Canes work- all the time, everywhere, without failure.