[Nfbnet-members-list] Fwd: The BuzzClip: 15 Days Left for Pre-Orders

David Andrews dandrews at visi.com
Fri Nov 6 04:09:38 UTC 2015


I have been asked to circulate the below 
message.  I am doing so so that you just get one 
copy, not a bunch on a bunch of our lists.

Dave




>Hi Everyone,
>
>We are a start-up company based in Toronto 
>called iMerciv and we wanted to let people know 
>about the development of our new product that 
>caters to the orientation and mobility needs of 
>those living with vision loss. The device has 
>been street tested and very well received by 
>blind and low vision communities in Canada hence 
>our excitement to let your members know about 
>it. The newly launched BuzzClip is a small and 
>discreet wearable device that helps those living 
>with vision loss with day to day traveling by 
>detecting obstacles in one’s immediate 
>environment and then notifying the wearer of 
>these obstacles through intuitive vibrations. It 
>uses ultrasound to detect any obstacle it is 
>pointing at and vibrates faster and stronger as 
>the obstacle/person gets closer.
>
>The BuzzClip is an electronic device that offers 
>upper body protection that is sometimes missed 
>by a guide dog or cane. It is not meant to be a 
>replacement for the cane or a guide dog rather 
>it is supposed to work in tandem with 
>traditional aids to provide the user more 
>information on their surroundings, particularly 
>at head level. The BuzzClip can be easily 
>attached to many forms of clothing (i.e it can 
>be clipped on a lapel of a winter jacket, on a 
>collar, sleeves (long or short) and the lining 
>of one’s belt) making it a highly versatile and useful device.
>
>There have indeed been many proximity detectors 
>that came out over the years. And the earlier 
>ones definitely caused a lot of frustration as 
>the functionality and reliability were far from 
>advertised. But we have been working closely and 
>testing our prototypes every step of the way 
>with blind and partially sighted testers in 
>Canada, the U.S and India. Although we do use 
>the same ultrasonic technology, the technology 
>has become much more refined over the years. 
>Also The Buzzclip is not just another ultrasonic 
>proximity detector. The fact that it is wearable 
>and hands free makes it applicable in a lot more 
>use cases. Some of our testers have been using 
>it in line ups at coffee shops to determine when 
>the line is moving forward. Some of them have 
>been using it as a way finder in tight spaces or 
>crowded rooms by walking in the directions where 
>the Buzzclip doesn't detect anything. Some have 
>found it useful as they would be able to tell if 
>the person they are conversing with got up to 
>get water and when they get back. It provides 
>extra information on one's surroundings 
>passively and users are constantly finding new 
>ways to use this extra information.
>
>The BuzzClip is currently available to pre-order 
>through a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. 
>For the next 15 days, we are offering Early Bird 
>BuzzClips at a discounted price of $129 USD. 
>After this campaign ends on November 22nd, the 
>final batch of BuzzClips will be manufactured 
>and shipped to our supporters by March of 2016.
>More information/videos on our product can be 
>found here: 
><https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-buzzclip-wearable-ultrasound-for-the-blind/x/11673979#/>https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-buzzclip-wearable-ultrasound-for-the-blind/x/11673979#/ 
>
>The link above is our Indiegogo page address and 
>Indiegogo is one of the largest Crowdfunding 
>websites in the world that is based in the United States just like Kickstarter.
>If you have any difficulty navigating through 
>the campaign page, the Indiegogo app on the 
>iphone is completely accessible and incase you 
>want to order an Early Bird BuzzClip, here is 
>the direct link to place an order: 
><https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-buzzclip-wearable-ultrasound-for-the-blind/contributions/new/#/contribute?perk_amt=129&perk_id=3095246>https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-buzzclip-wearable-ultrasound-for-the-blind/contributions/new/#/contribute?perk_amt=129&perk_id=3095246
>  You can also hear our spotlight interview on 
> Cool Blind Tech as well as on Blind Bargains Qast 39 for more info.
>
>A lot of effort was put into optimizing the user 
>experience of the device. Limiting it to 1m and 
>2m modes reduces false positives and only 
>provides vibratory feedback if there are 
>obstacles or people in your path or coming 
>directly at you. The device goes to sleep if you 
>are at a fixed distance for over a few seconds 
>so that it doesn't constantly vibrate if you are 
>talking to someone for example. It reactivates 
>again if the distance changes for more than 10 
>cm. So once it is switched on, the user can 
>simply carry on their usual routine without the 
>need to operate the device constantly. The 
>battery will last for a full days use (10 hours) 
>on a single charge and it is rechargeable 
>through a Micro-USB cable. (just like android phones)
>
>The Buzzclip is slightly larger than a lighter. 
>The enclosure is made entirely of aluminum so 
>that it is water resistant and durable and also 
>very aesthetically pleasing. The device consists 
>of 3 main sections, a sensor arm that is 
>circular and smaller than the size of an iPod 
>nano in terms of area. It is connected to the 
>battery enclosure by a metallic spring clip that 
>is similar to the ones on pocket knifes and 
>multi-tools. The main body is rectangular with 
>rounded edges and is roughly the size of a 
>lighter. The micro-USB charging port is on the 
>side of the main body. On the back of the main 
>body is the vibration motor arm which is 
>spring-loaded for when one is wearing loose 
>clothing. The entire unit has a finish that is 
>similar to the look and feel of the Apple TV 
>remote. When it is worn, the only part that will 
>be exposed is the circular sensor arm.
>
>Hope this information helps and is useful to 
>some of you. If you have any questions for us, 
>we would be happy to answer them.
>The Founders names are Bin Liu and Arjun Mali 
>and you can reach them at  +1 (647) 919 6565 for 
>Bin and +1 (647) 919 9269 for Arjun.
>You can also contact us at <mailto:info at imerciv.com>info at imerciv.com
>
>Thank You & Best Regards,
>
>Arjun Mali
>Co-Founder & Chief Financial Officer
>iMerciv Inc.
>Email: 
><mailto:arjunmali at imerciv.com>arjunmali at imerciv.com 
>.    Phone: (647)-919-9269    .    <http://www.imerciv.com>www.imerciv.com
>
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         David Andrews and long white cane Harry.
E-Mail:  dandrews at visi.com or david.andrews at nfbnet.org
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