The more I learn about Glidance, a system that purports to replace the cane, the more it seems to have taken all the criticisms of "smart canes" into account. It might be the first genuine high-tech navigation aid that could be beneficial, replacing the cane in most circumstances. I'm usually highly skeptical about these things because people just havent thought through the implications including ergonomics, weather conditions, etc
Continuing this thread about Glidance/Glide.
Based on the demo on their site + FAQs + the recent interview, here are some questions that seem to have been answered.
1. The design takes into account rainy weather. It will work on rainy streets. No answer about snow yet.
2. The timeline is longer than I anticipated. Beta tests are happening this year and release will happen in 2025.
3. Preorders wil start this year to gage demand and satisfy funders.
There's a little more clarity on pricing.
4. The current thinking is that there will be different packages for different usage at different price points. For people who have recently lost their site or possibly have difficulty navigating streets, there might be different features; and there might be different features for those of us who are jet setters with frequent travelers to airports and hotels.
5. Answering the question that someone asked on this thread, the system will not limit you to maps that Glidance creates. In fact, they will not create their own maps app. They will rely on Google Maps, Soundscape, etc. In other words, it will be your choice.
This is a good sign for me as it appears to be a philosophy that I can get behind. It also indicates that the platform will not be limited to iOS.
Continuing the Glidance thread. Turns out I forgot to add a bit of detail from the Doubletap interview.
6. In the current iteration, the the product is about 2.5 KG. So far people have described it as resembling an upright vacuum cleaner that can be collapsed. So it's not the lightest product. But, not bad.
7. It will have the capability of contacting someone for remote assistance.
I'm speculating here. Perhaps a partnership with Aira?
@ppatel The thing I haven't seen discussed, and the weight would matter for that: what about steps and stairs?
@sbourne It detects stairs and is designed to easily go up and down them. It can detect railings and indicate that fact to the user.
@ppatel Aha! It's definitely something I would want to test for myself (if I needed it.) The demo videos I saw had stairs in the background, but nobody went up them!
@sbourne Going down isn't as much of a challenge as going up the stairs is. I'll be eager to see this particular feature/design in action.
@ppatel I kinda like something that combines both. I am a less confident Street crosser for example as a Cain user compared to when I had a dog, but I also want to be able to do the jet setting and getting around hotels and other large building part more easily, as I’m doing more traveling for my job. I don’t have quite enough consistent work for a dog anymore as about 60% of my work is remote, but something like this could be a perfect solution for me.
@ppatel I'm interested to check this out at CSUN. Depending on my state of vertiginousness I may or may not be able to walk with it really thats up to Phoenix because it's already going to be stressful for her so if she tells me no then I'm going to respect that but I'm hoping to at least look at it. I can't use it myself because I need the dog for balance but I'd love to see it for sure.
@Pawpower For you, it might be a nice supplimentary device. I can see using it along with your guide dog. It does take up another one of your hands though.
@ppatel Right and the hand I would use is the spastic hand and often vibratory feedback triggers spasticity, soooooo this may not be usable for me if I can't continuously hold the thing haha. But I def am open to looking at it. It's one of the reasons I was hoping to love Sunu band. I can wear it and not hold it. But alas...
@Pawpower One of the good things about this company is that they're taking active feedback and incorporating it into their design. Perhaps they'd be willing to work with you to see if it could be designed in such a way that doesn't require you to hold the handle. Some kind of strap? Interesting design challenge.
@ppatel Yup it's one of the things I want to talk to them about, like if they're planning to make one mounted on a walker, really that could be revolutionary for a population who has been really overlooked when it comes to mobility, blind walker/wc users. If I didn't have a dog I'd have a walker and I think this could be easily modified for one.