If you are blind, the current solution is to provide you with a seeing eye dog. Seeing eye dogs seem to work ok, but I started wondering if self driving technology, such as what Google is developing mixed with navigation software, that is already used to replace seeing eye dogs, would be better.
Imagine if a person could be provided with a hat/glasses that would have the same sensors as the cars, but they would be smaller, easy to wear and look less out of place. An ear bud (and/or other feedback device) would direct the person as they navigated the street. It could provide directions with the same level of detail that they would get if a human were leading the person.
For example, a navigation sequence could be:
- Keep walking along the sidewalk straight
- Watch out for the paper box to the right in three meters
- There is a puddle in four meters that is one meter long and one meter wide
- You have turned enough to a avoid the puddle
- You have turned enough to keep from leaving the sidewalk
- You will be clear of the puddle in two meters
- You are approaching a crosswalk in three meters. Press the button at you right upon arrival.
- Your hand is too high
- Your hand is on the button
- The walk sign is on, proceed five meters straight to the other side
