Soon, sat nav that directs guide dogs for blind people
April 18th, 2009 - 4:11 pm ICT by ANILondon, Apr 18 (ANI): A British boffin has invented a revolutionary sat nav that directs guide dogs for blind people.
The 500-pound gizmo, which will be launched this summer, clips on to the dog’s harness and vibrates on the left or right side to tell the handler which direction to go in.
The blind user announces their destination into a sat nav microphone. The vibrating receiver then indicates how to “steer” the dog.
Product design student Jason Perkins developed Peepo after working with the Cardiff Institute for the Blind for a year, reports The Sun.
Jason, 34, who studies at the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff, said: “It gives blind people complete freedom. They can use it to navigate safely to new places.
“I wanted to create something that would have a life-changing effect but would also draw on the unique skills of the guide dog.”
Blind Jane McCann, 39, from Cardiff, who tested Peepo, said: “I have small children, so it’s difficult to concentrate on the kids and directions at the same time. This was easy to use and life-enhancing.” (ANI)
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Tags: blind user, boffin, cardiff institute, freedom, gizmo, guide dog, guide dogs, jason perkins, london, mccann, microphone, nav, sun, university of wales, university of wales institute