Computer Networks

I have included several categories in this section that will probably turn out to be separate listings.

One of the most effective tools for blind navigation is the cellular (portable) telephone. Wireless communication is enabling the blind traveler to connect to helpful resources (friends, agencies, mobility specialists) from any where they venture.

If you want to see the future of blind travellinkcheck out MIT's Media Lab for vision imaging. The April 1996 issue of Scientific American contains a review of the labs activities (a summary is available on the MIT home page). To my knowledge, the research at MIT is not being directly applied to blind mobility, but many of the projects have immediate impact. Here's a list of the MIT projects:

1. Smart spaces technology: In the Future section of this e-book, I stated that desktop computers would evolve into smart rooms. MIT is well on the way to making this a reality. Smart spaces contain micro cameras and hidden computer processors that monitor human movement. The system recognizes specific people and knows their habits and needs. MIT is developing smart rooms, smart interiors for cars, and smart desk spaces. A blind traveler could be "tracked" (or "jacked into") a special navigational network that would keep account of movements. Whenever the traveler wished to have information about position (location) in space he or she would only have to ask the system.

2. Smart clothing technology: Computer processors are being built into shoes, shirts, pants, belts, the whole wardrobe. MIT processors are programmed to remember people (face recognition technology), and to help individuals move through communities. A blind individual wearing smart clothing could have continual voice feedback describing and identifying friends who pass by, and whispering route information. Access to the internet would be continual.

3. Computers that recognize affect. Your spouse enters the room and your computer whispers: "Yikes! S(he)'s angry. Take cover." One of the biggest disabilities caused by blindness is the inability to read body language. This technology would solve the problem. Considerable research is being done onlinkface recognition.

4. Wear Cam technology: A video camera/computer processor that sees what you see and transfers the images back to a central computer. One use of this technology is for security. Get into a bad situation or bad neighborhood, and at least the central computer knows you're in trouble.