Tag Archives: google maps

Blind Man Develops Smart Cane That Uses Google Maps and Sensors to Identify One’s Surroundings

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This electronic walking stick is revolutionizing the way that blind people can navigate the world. As a means of protecting people from low-hanging objects and obstacles above chest level, the WeWalk smart cane uses ultrasonic sensors to warn the user of nearby hindrances through vibrations in the handle.

Accessibility View: Google Maps and Accessible Sidewalks

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A project in São Paulo, Brazil, is planning to collect images of the city’s sidewalks and integrate them into Google Maps so that people can easily checkout the accessibility of a route before heading out the door. The project will work in the same way as Google Map’s Street View, which currently lets users around the world see 360 degree views of streets from the perspective of a car driving down the street. Accessibility View will provide similar photographs of sidewalks from the perpective of a wheelchair user, allowing viewers to identify any potential obstacles along the route, like a lack of curb cuts or a hill that is too steep.