I am a guide dog user for the second time arround. Firstly I like the
concept however if an electronic guide could not work in doors
particularly in large office blocks it would be a hindrence instead of a
help. There has been a lot of talk about digital mobile phones
interfeering with medical equipment I think that an electronic guide dog
would also have a grate potential to interfeer with other electronic
devices. Working with a dog requires that you be part of a team almost a
single intity. If an electronic guide dog had a mal function would the
maker be leagally responseble. Would other electronic devices say
digital phones interfeer with it? Also if you used the underground rail
system you would be stuck. I suppose I am biased being a dog lover
however I can walk around listening to a walkman and trust my dog totally
to do the right thing, I don't think I would do that with an electronic
device. Also such a device would have to have artificial intelligence of
some kind built in and one hell of a processor. What happens if say you
are in the middle of an intersection and the rechargeable bateries die.
I would say conservativly a device like that would cost probably half a
million per unit. Remember a dog watches not only where you are going it
has to look for over head branches and judge wether you would be able to
fit underneath them, and when the branches are wet he has to make another
judgement even though you could walk under them yesterday. On the plus
side at least you would not have to go through hell when you have to
retire your dog and get another. Also you would not have to take an
electronic device outside in the rain to releave itself. I think an
effective electronic guide dog is at least 20 years away. I can go to a
station I have never been to before and my dog will take me straight to
the steps. Also he only needs to be showen the way to someware once
maybe twice and he can work out the way back and I am only vaguely aware
of the way. Also doyle say can find the toilets in a building even
though he has never been there before likewise butchers and chemests. I
can walk down a street and tell him to find me some food and he will take
me to a take away food shop. They can work out short cuts home and so
on. An electronic device that could come close to doing all of those
things would have to have massive data storage and quick retreival
systems. Also you would not get young girls comming up to you and
starting a conversation by the line "what a cute dog can I pat him?"
Also would the electronic device protect you if you were attacked? I
suppose cain users can not know the total enjoyment of working with a
well trained and disaplined dog. I have now taught him to wait till
people get off the train before approaching the doors. Still there are a
few difficulties /ideas for an electronic guide dog.
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