[gui-talk] Fwd: Article: Primpo to introduce 'Isonic', its revolutionary white cane for the visually impaired

Fri Mar 26 13:44:45 UTC 2010

It makes sense to try not to judge something new based upon past technologies, but there seems to be some fairly long-standing principles that govern whether a 
device will be successful or even useful.  Too often the technicians don't talk enough to the skeptics.

For example, if a device is a part of a cane, what happens if the cane is dammaged such as was indicated by Mike's comment about the car door test.  Also, most of 
us have strong but varying preferences for the type of cane we use.  There is no claim here that this device will replace a cane, and that shows some degree of 
understanding as such devices tend not to provide warnings of drop-offs or stairs going down.  In my mind, a device needs to be transferrable and attachable to a 
number of different styles of canes.

Next is price.  It is easy for people to think that we would pay any price to not get slapped in the face by wet leaves on an overhanging branch after a rainstorm.  I 
hate that, but I wouldn't spend a fortune to avoid it.  

How about the durability.  I'm not going to start depending on a device that acts up if the temperature gets too cold or too warm, or if the battery life is unpredictable, 
even if it helps me out when it is working right.  I probably won't use it when it is rainy if there is any chance that rain will cause it to fail resulting in the need to repair 
or replace it.  How well is it protected if my cane is on the floor and someone steps on it.  Does having such a device mean that I will never put my cane on the 
floor?  

I think that the idea that a travel aid should be transferrable between canes is a no-brainer, but this seems not a commonly-held belief.  Part of the reason, though, is 
that it isn't that easy to be sure the device is oriented correctly, for one thing, and if it is not it will give incorrect information.  Still, to be able to transfer the device or 
use it independently of a cane seems like a very good idea.

The point here is that new technologies may well improve, but some of these other factors remain constant.  Like someone else here, I tried the spectacles with the 
ear pieces back in the 1970's, and I was fascinated with them.  I very much felt that they truly extended the knowledge of my environment.  I could differentiate 
between a wall, a large glass surface and a wall covered by a curtain.  But in the end, I had to ask myself, what is this device telling me that will really make a 
difference in my getting around.  Given the price, is the worrying I will do that it will be dammaged worth the information that it gives me?  For me, the answer was a 
definite "no" even though I was fascinated.  I've been lucky enough to try other devices over the years as well, and being a technology guy, I have always found 
them very interesting, but the same things I have outlined above keep coming up.  

I am not one who thinks that there isn't technology that might help us travel.  Trying new travel technologies is something that interests me.  There has to be more 
thought, though, to how such technology is integrated into daily living.  I don't know to what degree this current device has taken some of this into account, so my 
comments here are not meant as a criticism of that device.  What I am trying to say, though, is that we have good reason not to jump up and cheer when a new 
technology is announced until we see how well it has been thought out.  For me, it isn't so much that I am skeptical of the technology but rather how it is 
implemented.

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:57:36 -0400, Reinhard Stebner wrote:

>I know other devices like this were tried but never really worked all that
>well.  I would like to know if this thing will be able to detect items that
>would hit me in my eye such as tree ends or pieces of signs.  I like the
>suggestion of the poster below, if  a card door is open or a mere.

>-----Original Message-----
>From: gui-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:gui-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>Behalf Of Mike Freeman
>Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 11:32 PM
>To: NFBnet GUI Talk Mailing List
>Subject: Re: [gui-talk] Fwd: Article: Primpo to introduce 'Isonic',its
>revolutionary white cane for the visually impaired

>Wonder what the cost is and whether it passes the "car door" test? <g>

>Mike

>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "Steve Pattison" <srp at internode.on.net>
>To: "Access L" <access-l at access-l.com>; "CUG Members" <Members at bcacug.org>
>Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 10:19 PM
>Subject: [gui-talk] Fwd: Article: Primpo to introduce 'Isonic',its 
>revolutionary white cane for the visually impaired

>> From: Red Wolf
>>
>> http://us.aving.net/news/view.php?articleId0585
>>
>>      Primpo to introduce 'Isonic', its revolutionary white cane for the 
>> visually impaired
>>            [ Joshua 2010-03-22 ]
>>
>>         SEOUL, Korea (AVING Special Report on 'Hong Kong Electronics Fair 
>> 2010') -- <Visual News> Primpo Co., Ltd. (CEO Jai Kim, www.primpo.com) 
>> will introduce its revolutionary new cane product for the visually 
>> impaired, "Isonic", at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair, to be held for four

>> days from April 13 to 16, 2010. The company will participate in the 
>> exhibition as part of a project initiated by the district administration 
>> of Gangnam-gu, to assist Korean firms in their overseas marketing 
>> activities.
>>
>>      Unlike conventional white canes, with which a user can not detect 
>> obstacles above waist height, the "Isonic" model can detect obstacles 
>> within a range of 25 degrees horizontally and 50 degrees vertically with 
>> an integrated supersonic sensor.
>>
>>      The product can also detect obstacles within a distance of 2 meters, 
>> as well as very slim objects, narrower than 3cm. With decreasing distance 
>> to an object, the cane's vibrating indicator sends a stronger signal to 
>> the user, pinpointing the location of the obstacle.
>>
>>      A feature to inform a visually impaired user of an object's color 
>> draws special attention. With a color sensor attached, the user is 
>> informed by voice messages of 10 detectable colors and their brightness, 
>> including red, orange and blue.
>>
>>      Field tests conducted with 15 people in September of 2009 yielded 
>> very satisfying results.
>>
>>      The CEO of Primpo, Jai Kim, said, "The ultimate functionality of the 
>> "Isonic" is to allow the visually impaired to move around freely without 
>> having to rely on a conventional cane. Prior to developing this product, 
>> we conducted a survey with more than 600 handicapped students and 
>> teachers. Among others, the color indication feature drew the most 
>> attention."
>>
>>
>>
>>      (Photo Caption: Ultrasonic and color sensors mounted)
>>
>>
>>
>>      (Photo Caption: Button for power, color and contrast)
>>
>> Regards Steve
>> Email:  srp at internode.on.net
>> MSN Messenger:  internetuser383 at hotmail.com
>> Skype:  steve1963
>> Twitter:  steve9782
>>
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