[access-uk] Re: Headset guides blind people in cities
- From: "Steve Nutt" <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2014 08:48:31 -0000
Hi Paul,
I don't share your optimism, because of non-standard standards. Look at
Apple. They won't let anyone else use their iBeacon tech. Heck they don't
even have Facetime for Android, though Google have all their apps for iOS.
So while Apple which is one of the best for accessibility, is so closed, it
will never happen in my view.
All the best
Steve
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-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Paul Warner
Sent: 06 November 2014 22:40
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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