I wouldn't be so pessimistic. The cost at the moment will be prohibitive for most authorities but the point of the research and development will be to implement a GPS/beacon system which is affordable.
The iBeacon technology has been around as an idea for only a few years and has not really been rolled out in the mass market. If and when the mainstream market finds a use for them, zillions of stick-on beacons will be manufactured and stuck everywhere. These beacons will be programmable and will be able to tell apps what they are attached to whenever your device comes in range. If they can get the unit cost of beacons down to pence rather than pounds, there should be no problem sticking them to lamp-posts, pedestrian crossings, street furniture, shop doors and to locations inside buildings as well.
I think it is the use of these beacons which is the really interesting thing about the Microsoft project - the GPSbased information handling is already present on Android and IOS. Bone conduction headphone technology is also not new.
I am very conscious of the fact that public expenditure is reducing markedly due to austerity but this challenge should provoke consideration of alternatives. How about making it a condition of planning permission that commercial establishments apply beacons to their entrance doors and any street furniture which they put out as well as to customer toilets, stairs, lifts and checkouts inside their establishments. The thing is, cheap, mass-produced technology usually begins with very expensive prototypes. I, for one, will be watching the development of beacon technology with great interest.
On 06/11/2014 21:27, john gallagher wrote:
hi there i just cannot see this as being a viable thing as now you can get such cheap gps apps on iphones and the android phones. the councils have no money at all and hear in leeds they are just chopping jobs and cutting back in every direction. the idea is good but i just cannot see it happening at all. ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Warner <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Date: Thursday, 6 November 2014 9.17 pm Subject: [access-uk] Re: Headset guides blind people in citiesIt's good that the various bodies have come together because the R & D phase should help a workable system to evolve with the possibility that cheaper alternative components are implemented. As Jackie pointed out, public bodies in the UK will run a mile from spending a lot on such research at the moment since the ultimate cost is unknown but if Reading, Microsoft and the other bodies can develop a complete workable product which can then be rolled out at lower unit cost, this makes it more attractive for other authorities in the future. On 06/11/2014 21.03, ,c;arol.,p;earson29@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:Oh, I obviously missed that bit of the recording but guessed that was the case. Thanks. Carol P ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Warner" <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2014 5.31 PM Subject: [access-uk] Re: Headset guides blind people in cities0was The recorded article makes it clear that the system is at the 0was research and development stage and is not available as a product as 0was yet. With much more work to do, there is also the possibility that 0was it never becomes an integrated product--this risk is particularly 0was high given that local authorities and others have to apply navigation 0was beacons everywhere. 0was 0was Paul 0was 0was 0was On 06/11/2014 17.05, ,c;arol.,p;earson29@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:Hmm! Sounds interesting, particularly as I'm struggling with new routes in Reading and the demo went almost past our door! <Smiles> There was no mention as to whether this would ever be available to the general everyday, hard pressed GDO and other blind folk trying to get around! Has anyone heard anything about the cost or whether it will be released for any users in an everyday situation? Carol P ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jackie Brown" <jackieannbrown62@xxxxxxxxx> To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2014 4.42 PM Subject: [access-uk] Re: Headset guides blind people in citiesHi Barry Yes, I heard a piece on Radio Ulster about this over breakfast this morning. What they didn't mention was the cost involved, both to GOODBA in partnering it, and the user. It sounded interesting though I have to say. Kind regards, Jackie Brown Emails: jackieannbrown62@xxxxxxxxx thebrownsplace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Twitter: @thebrownsplace Skype: Thejackmate -----Original Message----- From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Barry Hill Sent: 06 November 2014 16.08 To: Barry Hill Subject: [access-uk] Headset guides blind people in cities It's a shame it only works with the Windows mobile, but this looks pretty good otherwise. A headset that guides visually impaired people around cities has been developed by Microsoft and charity Guide Dogs. < http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/news/technology-29913637 > Cheers Barry --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! 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