Technology

All I want for Christmas...

Summary: Blind and partially sighted people say what gadgets they would like for Christmas, from practical ideas to futuristic fantasy.

• Sonus 1XT
• Nabaztag
• A high tech mobility aid
• A portable scanner
• Accessible set-top box
• A tactile diagram printer
• Object description service
• USB connectivity for appliances
• A simple computer I can talk to
• A self driving car
• Final thoughts
• References

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We asked blind and partially sighted people what innovation would give them a 'happy new year', and we gather together their comments here. From practical suggestions for gifts to futuristic fantasy, we have compiled their wish list.

Sonus 1XT

It is not surprising that this talking digital radio has proved popular. The traditionally blind friendly medium of radio was in danger of becoming less accessible with the advent of digital radio, and the on screen information that stations can broadcast on this platform. Digital radios also tend to be controlled by the menus displayed on small screens. Designed as a stylish 'retro' product, the Sonus uses recorded speech to read the menus. Best of all it is a mainstream product sold by electronics retailers with accessibility built in!

Nabaztag

This is one for gadget enthusiasts. Adrian said “I'm definitely putting a "Nabaztag" on my Christmas list". This 'talking WiFi rabbit' is a computer peripheral marketed as a novelty with a 'personality'. Its speech and audio features make it potentially useful to blind people. So named because Nabaztag is Armenian for rabbit and because it resembles a cartoon rabbit, with antenna as ears. A free service from the manufacturer enables it to tell the time every hour, read news articles, weather forecasts, stock market indices and inform of an incoming email. It can also sing, talk, flash coloured lights within its translucent body, and move its ears.

A high tech mobility aid

Wendy said “What I really need is a robot in the form of a human being who will take me out and about, guiding me past all obstacles, weaving me through crowds, taking me into shops and letting me browse around while it tells me what is there. I use a long cane, and have some friends who have guide dogs, but nothing we now have can replace really being able to wander freely and know exactly what is there.”

While nothing as sophisticated as this exists, there is some technology designed to help blind people avoid obstacles when walking around. These use echolocation to warn user of obstacles by sound or vibration. Examples are the Ultra cane and the Palmsonar.

A portable scanner

Wendy said “I know that in a way it is now available, as the K-NFB reader can probably do what I want, but it costs too much. What I would like is a small reader, which you can take to the shops, scan the shelves and read the labels on the different products. The pocket talking reader could also be used to read all kinds of things, like titles on CDs and DVDs, and even the rest of the blurb on them. I know we have scanners, but they can't always cope with everything.”

Other suggested uses for a portable scanner that current technology cannot undertake, is to scan handwriting and PowerPoint presentations. Still another was Vince’s 'device that can read other devices'. "That way, I might stand a chance of using voice recorders, music synthesisers, microwaves, or whatever without the need to adapt them or swallow the manuals whole.”

Accessible set-top box

Phil said “How about affordable digital TV with audio description, say £40! An accessible DVD recorder for around £150.” The ability to play audio description is standard on Sky satellite boxes and there is audio description available on cable in some areas. The only commercially available set-top box that could play audio description on terrestrial television was recently discontinued.

We must not forget that what is needed is not just audio description, but equipment that gives access to the menus that control these devices and the electronic program guides.

A tactile diagram printer

Vince said, “I want a printer that can print textures and contours. An end to text-only living.” And Nick wanted also wanted something with which to draw and transcribe visual images independently. There are two low-tech things that can be used to do this; embossing film is a plastic sheet on which a line is raised when drawn on with a ballpoint pen or stylus and the DraftsMan is a tactile drawing board. There is other equipment for producing tactile diagrams including embossers and heat fusers. But these are for sighted graphic designers.

What would be a great innovation is something that allows blind people to draw and transcribe images independently.

Object description service

Jonathan wants something that can describe pictures and objects. One way of doing this is an idea he calls “second-hand sight”. This would involve a blind person requesting a description of a picture or object that would then be described by a sighted person. There is a project intending to provide exactly this service over the Internet. It is a website called a See4Me. The blind users send in images they have scanned or photographed. Volunteers called 'Net Eyes' then describe this image to them.

USB connectivity for appliances

Chris had an idea that would make all consumer electronics accessible. He explains “I would like to see every electrical item you bought for your home come as standard with a USB port into which you could plug something like a wireless adapter. Then, your washing machine, TV, central heating clock, microwave and DAB radio could all be linked on a wireless network, and controlled from your PC using whatever access technology suited you best. It often strikes me as crazy that I find it much easier to configure a wireless router than to change a setting on my washing machine. The router comes with a web interface, so why can't the washing machine? ... and why can't the menus on my cable TV box simply appear on my PC instead?”

A simple computer I can talk to

Many blind and partially sighted people hear about voice recognition and think this must be an easy way to use a computer. Voice recognition can be a very effective way of inputting text. Sixty words per minute is respectable speed for a copy typist and the average touch typist will work at around half this speed. Voice recognition can double it.

Where things become more problematic is when you want to control the PC by voice. Voice input can only be another input method in the same way as the mouse or the keyboard. The mistake many people new to the subject make, is to assume that voice recognition software must make interacting with the computer a similar experience to talking to a person. This would require a level of artificial intelligence that has not even been achieved in the laboratory.

I have seen some very impressive demonstrations of voice recognition software. But I have never seen one at which the presenter didn’t either user the keyboard or mouse or have to say a keyboard command such as “shift tab” or “alt F4”. This sort of command will mean nothing to someone who has never used a computer before. While a hands-free system using voice input and voice output is available, a machine you can talk to like a human being remains the stuff of science fiction.

A self driving car

Wally and Nick both wanted a self-driving car. Amazingly, there are some existing technologies that could contribute to making this possible in the future. The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is fitted with radar to warn the driver if they are too close to the car in front, and flash the brake lights to warn a following driver if they are too close. GPS satellite navigation technology is already widely used to give instructions to drivers. If this, coupled with obstacle detection equipment, could be used to directly control the car then they would get their wish.

Final thoughts

The most commonly raised issue in our straw poll was price. Existing products being sold at more affordable prices would be a great Christmas present in itself. Another strong desire is for better access to household appliances whether this is achieved by USB connectivity, or a scanner that can read the menu screens on these units. Another way to achieve this would be by building accessibility features in to mass-market products.

References

DraftsMan

Nabaztag

Palmsonar

See 4 me

Ultracane

Content author: technology@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 20/11/2008 11:13