>Greetings,
>
>For the past 18 months, the NFB Research and Development Committee, in
>conjunction with Don Bomer and Hal Carey, has been developing an Electronic
>Travel Aid which, when used in conjunction with the white cane or guide dog,
>can assist blind travelers in walking a straight line, setting a course in
>any desired direction, avoiding collision with overhanging objects, and
>following a queue in a crowded or noisy area.
>
>Don will be demonstrating this device, described below, at the 2004 National
>Convention of the National Federation of the Blind. These demonstrations
>will be on the Skyline Level (10th Floor) on Thursday 1 July, 5 to 7 PM and
>on Friday - 2 July, 7 to 9 PM
>
>For further information or to ask specific questions, please visit the
>website at www.traveller.bz, contact Don Bomer at the Hilton Hotel during
>the convention, or send him e-mail at: dbomer@traveller.bz.
>
>The Traveller:
>
>* The Traveller is an Electronic Travel Aid. It combines a Straight-Walker,
>a Compass, an Obstacle Alarm, and a Queue-Minder.
>
>* Worn high on the user's chest with a neck strap rather than hand-held, The
>Traveller provides hands-free and open-ear operation that is not affected by
>a user's cane or dog.
>
>* Relatively small and lightweight, The Traveller may be comfortably used
>for extended periods. * The Traveller uses vibrators in the neck-strap,
>not sound, so that the user's ears are open to the environment.
>
>* The neck-strap has a removable cloth cover that is washable.
>
>* The Traveller has a compass marked in Braille, so that the user can easily
>set a course to travel.
>
>* The "dead-zone" for the straight-walker is adjustable from wide angle for
>the beginner, to very narrow for the experienced user.
>
>* The back of the case is slanted at 30 degrees, so that the SONAR beam is
>pointed horizontally to the front.
>
>* The SONAR beam height and width is 30 degrees, and therefore will detect
>any object in front of you that is in range.
>
>* The SONAR is very sensitive, with a range of up to 12 feet for most
>objects. It reliably detects objects as small as a broomstick at up to 6
>feet.
>
>* The Traveller includes a rechargeable battery with a typical life of more
>than 8 hours. A quick-charger is included.
>
>* The back of the case is transparent, so that airport security can easily
>inspect the Traveller.
>
>* A detailed Instruction Manual is provided on audio tape.
>
>* Availability, early August, 2004 in limited quantities.
>
>* Cost from the NFB Aids and Appliances store, when available, $350.00.
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