Remember The Young Indian Inventor?

[spathiphyllum]

She invented a vibrating stick for the blind.

Well.. some guy stole her idea, and made it better.

https://mypositiveoutlooks.com/blind-engineer-builds-a-smart-cane-that-has-google-maps/

[douglas9401]

'Stole' eh? Good luck in court.

[retrocop]

To steal an idea from one person is plagiarism. To steal ideas from many is research. :-)

[Mamyalynne]

The possibilities are endless, fabulous.

[spathiphyllum]

I think it's a fantastic idea to have a google maps feature in the stick. Maybe maps could even advance to the point they're aware of every step, lamppost, curb and drop curb to the point that this stick could pretty much navigate the worlds streets from streetview. The only thing it wouldn't help with is dog poop.

[spathiphyllum]

https://www.siliconrepublic.com/machines/blind-smart-stick-inventor-mihika-sharma-young-pioneer-award

[Mamyalynne]

A useful addition would be a mild type of taser for when people totally ignore the stick (and you) and shove you out the way ;-)

[wolf63]

I used to pass an older guy on my way to work, he had a white stick that he violently swung in front of him whilst he was charging down the road. He just kept going even if he had just hit someone. I think that it takes a lot of confidence to go out and about with no vision and no dog - using only a white stick but his stick was a weapon too.

[Mamyalynne]

Oh yes, must be used with caution - or say oooops a lot :-)

[hc4361]

Maybe white sticks should have an audible warning for those engrossed in their phones while they're walking. They may as well be blind for all the notice they take of other people

[wolf63]

Last week I was going to 'work' and a lady and her guide dog were standing at the traffic lights. A guy told her that it was safe to cross (which it was) but the lights were not in her favour. The lady thanked the guy and walked towards my side of the road, her dog wasn't at all sure that this was a good idea and stopped dead halfway across the road. It standing to block the lady's forward motion and the lady was getting flustered.

I spoke to her and explained that it had been safe to cross but for some reason, the dog was aware that something wasn't right. I spoke to the dog too - a very timid yellow Lab lady dog.

I don't know why I typed all that as the thread is about white sticks, but it is now typed and now I will hit the button.