That would be Professor Kay. I was there at the time (1976 -77) but didn't
directly work on the project,  As I remember, one version had ultrasonic
transducers mounted on glasses frames. It used a swept ultrasonic
frrequency to give an audible distance estimate. Problems were that the
high pitch represented long distance and the low pitch a short distance -
which was intuitively incorrect. Also, there were noticable clicks when the
sweep reached the end of the range - a 10Hz buzz I think which was tiring
to listen to.

There were other versions also - I think a cane was one of them.

I don't know what happened to the idea either.

Richard P




>Is there something for the blind yet that
>can be worn as a cap and gives 'audible
>notice' of impending danger as well as
>assists in navigation/negotiation of common
>obstacles like street crossings and doors?

Well one of the lecturers at University of Canterbury, New Zealand had an
ultrasonic ranging unit for blind people as a pet project back in the
1960/70's. Do not know what became of it.

--
http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us!
email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

--
http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us!
email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body