SWAN Aids The Blind, Ducks Quack For Elderly
The Georgia Institute of Technology has developed a system called, “SWAN” — which stands for, “System for Wearable Audio Navigation” — a wearable system of cameras, laptops, and “bone phones” built specifically to help guide the blind better than any other GPS-type system out there. The system, which was first developed for military purposes, is composed of a laptop (soon to be a PDA), several GPS trackers, four cameras, various sensors, special headphones called “bone phones” and a backpack to put it all into. It’s fun, it’s easy, and it’s great if you’re a blind soldier in the army.
Seeing-Eye GPS System Aids The Blind And Directionless
Those GPS systems that are often used by hikers, hunters, and drivers have recently been employed for something that’s actually worthwhile — aiding the blind. Three products have recently been made available — all use braille, all use voice, and all promise to eventually be turned into very friendly guide robots that can also beat up kids who find hilarity in mistreating the blind.
