pressetext.europe
Contact:
Mike Leidig
Phone: ++43-1-81140-319
E-Mail: editor@newsfox.com
Contact:
Mike Leidig
Phone: ++43-1-81140-319
E-Mail: editor@newsfox.com
KEYWORDS:
SCIENCE
Wed, 29.01.2003
pte20030129047 Products/Innovations, Computer/Telecommunications
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Electronic stick replaces Guide dogs
40 hours of special training is needed to use it
Paris (pte047/29.01.2003/21:48) - Guide dogs could be ousted from their roles of leading the blind by an electronic stick. The white stick looks like any other but is fitted with a small vibrating device and head phones.
Two models have so far been developed by physicist Rene Farcy from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) - one which can detect obstructions within a four-metre radius and a more advanced one that can make out shapes up to 15-metres away.
Information on how close the objects are is transmitted to the user via sounds to the head phones. The higher the tone the closer the object is. However up to 40 hours of special training is needed to be able to use the high-tech stick. http://www.cnrs.fr
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