A whirled of the map
Schmap, which has already established a web presence with interactive maps and guides, has developed an iPhone-savvy version of its site. What we really like is that it takes advantage of the iPhone’s built-in gyro sensors; hold your phone one way to see just the local points of interest, then just tilt it 90 degrees to see these points plotted on a map. Easy for anyone, and likely to be especially welcome by those whose fine motor impairments make them prefer not to fumble with links whenever possible; we’d love to see this implemented for other types of applications.
Android deserves augmented reality
Android, Google’s mobile development platform, has attracted a really useful app. Enkin takes your location, camera input, and other info, and renders a customized meaningful overlay: where your car is in the lot, where the nearest noodle shop is, etc. This kind of personal guidance would be tremendously valuable for those with cognitive disabilities, permitting independent living and travel. Add audio output and you have a wayfinding device for blind users.
Take me there
Nuance voice recognition technology and TeleNav GPS systems are teaming up to create smart navigation systems. Just say the type of location you want to reach (e.g., “airport” or “gas station”) and the new unit will provide directions, presumably to the nearest relevant location.
Tired, and being admired
The Self-Inflating Tire is being shown in prototype form by Czech developers; as you drive, their radials automatically refill with air from the environment. Let’s cross our fingers for upcoming wheelchair models!
Good vibrations
While we usually leave comments about products specifically designed for people with disabilities to our sister blog, we have a few things to say about the Tactile Wand prototype, which provides vibratory feedback on the proximity of objects as a potential replacement for traditional white canes used by blind people. First off, white canes also function as a signal to sighted folks that they may need to provide right-of-way or other accommodations to someone who may not have obvious visual disabilities, and we don’t see how this device will easily replace that function. Second, given reports of sighted folks being killed or injured because they’re distracted by their cell phone conversations, we could see variations on this technology also used as an emergency attention-getter for everyone.
Eye spy
Toyota is just about to release a system that tracks involuntary eyelid closure to detect when an overtired driver starts to doze at the wheel. How far can that be from tracking voluntary eyelid closure to run a switch input system?
Told ya so: Mobile phone photos rescue lost hikers
We’ve been talking for years about using camera phones to help people navigate better; the first recorded example just happened, out in the wilderness. The hikers got disoriented, snapped their environs, and sent the photos to the park rangers. The rangers identified one of the peaks and used mapping software to narrow down where the hikers were. Now, let’s roll this out to all those who could benefit from it because of visual or cognitive impairments.