[access-uk] Re: Headset guides blind people in cities
- From: "Barry Hill" <barry.hill3@xxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2014 07:22:33 -0000
One problem I envisage is that if it is a simple, cheap stick on beacon,
what's to stop little sods from moving them about, or just picking them off.
A few years ago, my central library put braille in their old lift, but it
only lasted a week before it was picked off.
Cheers
Barry
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Paul Warner
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2014 10:40 PM
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Headset guides blind people in cities
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 cities
>
>>
>> It'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 cities
>>>
>>>
>> 0was 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 cities
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi 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
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
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