The guide dog has long been the faithful friend for the blind, but the inevitable technological replacement has now been created. Sebastian Ritzler, from the Muthesius Academy of Art and Design in Kiel, Germany, has developed a product known as the Mygo which essentially is a rolling cane, with a sophisticated system designed to simplify and assist movement.
Made from a waterproof substance, the cane is also height adjustable to suit all persons. The Mygo is fitted with a smart sensor and a live camera, which scours the terrain in real-time whilst feeding audio to the attached headset. The wheel on the end of the cane prompts you in the correct direction containing a battery with life of up to 6 hours, not great for those longer walks! The wheel also transmits data about the terrain via the grip.
So will the Mygo eventually replace the guide dog? It's difficult since the connection with an animal is instinctive and a bond created. The cane on the other hand, is a little more difficult to form a relationship with, and how much trust can you instil into a piece of technology? The cane is definitely looking like a useful alternative, although is yet to progress into production, so pricing remains on the backburner.
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Comments |14 posts
it still wouldnt be able to detect if there was anything coming your way like a guide dog could.
they don't detect traffic you have to listen out for the cars and tell the dog to move when you think it is safe.
i think this is a very good idea however I do feel it might need a few touch ups.
good luck with this.
yes it would be cheaper and faster to make a guide stick but still a guide dog is better