We have to be honest and say if you place a motorcycle in your booth, you may possibly get our attention for an interview. Shelly opens this segment by speaking to Dan Parker, OrCam user and self-professed Fastest Blind Man , about his specially designed audio detection system and how it allowed him to drive incredibly fast on the Bonneville Salt Flats circuit. We then switch gears and turn to Bryan Wolynski, Consultant for OrCam, to learn about the new MyEye 2 app for iOS. This recently released free app works with the latest OrCam to allow greater control of settings, Bluetooth audio connection and identify the unit s battery status. We also learn a bit more about the unit s voice control functionality and various pricing for the hardware options available in the OrCam line. Visit the App Store page for the MyEye 2 app and visit the OrCam website to learn more about various available solutions
CSUN 2019 coverage is Brought to you by AFB AccessWorld.
For the latest news and accessibility information on mainstream and access technology, Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon offerings, access technology book reviews, and mobile apps, and how they can enhance entertainment, education and employment, log on to AccessWorld, the American Foundation for the Blind's free, monthly, online technology magazine. Visit www.afb.org/aw.
Transcript
We strive to provide an accurate transcription, though errors may occur.
Hide transcriptTranscribed By Grecia Ramirez
Direct from Anaheim, it’s blindbargains.com coverage of CSUN 2019, brought to you by AFB AccessWorld.
For the latest news and accessibility information on mainstream and access technology; Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon offerings; access technology book reviews and mobile apps and how they can enhance entertainment, education, and employment, log onto AccessWorld, the American Foundation for the Blind’s free monthly online technology magazine, www.afb.org/aw.
Now, here’s Shelly Brisbin.
SHELLY BRISBIN: I’m on the floor of CSUN 2019 in the OrCam booth. And I noticed the OrCam booth because there’s a motorcycle in it. And before we get to the important information about what’s new at OrCam, I want to find out from this guy over here, Dan, why is there a motorcycle in the booth?
DAN PARKER: Hello. I’m Dan Parker. I went blind in 2012 from an auto racing accident. I’ve been a racer my whole life.
Afterwards, in 2013, I designed and built this motorcycle, and I became the first blind man to race the Bonneville Salt Flats. I returned in 2014 and set my official FIM class record. And I’m the only blind man in the world that’s raced with no human assistance. I have a special guidance system that gives me audible feedback.
And so I was honored – OrCam invited me to come – I’m an OrCam user, and my job, I’m a parapro at a local high school. I teach machine shop. So when they found out about my story, they invited me to come, share my story, and bring the motorcycle and display it on the booth. And here we are.
SB: That’s pretty cool. So I assume you’re still riding and racing and, you know – what have you been doing lately on the motorcycle?
DP: Well, currently, now, I’m building a 2008 Corvette to become the world’s fastest blind man with a goal of 210 miles an hour. And once again, I plan on proving that technology with blindness – with an accessible world, we can achieve, and I’ll do that again with a special guidance system with no human assistance.
SB: That’s super cool, but I’m going to stay out of your way, if that’s all right.
DP: That’s fine. They wouldn’t let me valet park the cars neither, so –
SB: All right. All right. Thanks so much, Dan.
Well, we’re going to talk to Bryan Wolynski, who is a consultant with OrCam.
Hi, Bryan.
BRYAN WOLYNSKI: Hi. Thanks for talking with me today.
SB: Happy to do so. And you have to follow the motorcycle, but no problem. You can do that; right?
BW: Sure. Of course.
SB: So tell us what’s new with OrCam?
BW: So OrCam -- as everybody knows, their second-generation device came out last year. And the newest things with OrCam is pretty much the features and their updates. So some of the newer stuff that recently came out in the latest software update is having a -- app that you’re able to control the settings. Another new feature is that you can use voice activation in order to control your settings, as well as better ability in detecting barcodes.
SB: So the app – now, you’ve had an app before? Is this the first time an app has been part of OrCam?
BW: This is the first time that an app has been part of OrCam. And another feature as well, is – new feature is the ability to connect to a Bluetooth headphone.
SB: And this is IOS. Is there going to be an Android version of the app as well?
BW: I’m unsure of that right now, because I’ve been using IOS.
SB: Okay.
BW: So I do know it’s on IOS right now. I believe so, though.
SB: Got you. And how long has this been available to customers?
BW: Just recently, the past three weeks.
SB: So I assume this is – if you already have OrCam, you’re going to get all this stuff. And if you’re a new OrCam user, it’s just part of the package. Is that the way –
BW: Correct. All updates are done through Wi-Fi. So it’s not necessary – or OrCam doesn’t use Wi-Fi, or the internet, for it to work. So it works independently of it. But it only needs the internet, or Wi-Fi, in order to do the updates. So software updates are automatically pushed through if you’re already a user.
SB: Great. So you’re an optometrist working with low-vision folks. I’m low-vision myself, and I’m always interested in what devices people choose for what kinds of low-vision and what kind of users. So, I guess, I’m wondering, like, who is the perfect OrCam user? Or what kind of vision conditions typically benefit the most from using the OrCam system? I know blind folks can use it as well, but I’m just wondering if there’s any specific low-vision benefits.
BW: Right. Well, the issue is as always, when you’re working with any technology or any device, is knowing the characteristics that fit an individual of their needs, their wants, and what is the best device to fit. With a lot of the new technologies coming out, you know, there’s not a lot of studies out there on who best fits with what. And really, I think it’s on a trial basis. So I really state that OrCam can be used as you just mentioned, you know, that people who are blind are using OrCam, but also are people who are visually impaired.
You really can’t discount one or the other, because OrCam doesn’t work with your vision. It speaks to you, the information, so it could be for both. As far as like, the best age, it really could be for any age, as long as you’re open to using OrCam, as long as you’re able to use it. I’d say the only really limiting characteristic for somebody would be if you had a head tremor, something like Parkinson's disease, where you couldn’t keep your head still because the camera does need to be still to take a picture.
SB: Right.
BW: Other things would be, you know, technological abilities. But truthfully, I feel that the OrCam device, or any technology – when you’re creating something, you’re trying to make it easy to use. You don’t want to have to fuss around with everything and try to be plugging in and putting programs in. It just – you turn it on, and it works.
SB: So remind people about OrCam and how one acquires it and what its cost is. I don’t remember. I think they’re – well, you tell me.
BW: Sure. Well, first off, just to explain the 2.0 version of it –
SB: Uh-huh.
BW: -- it’s about the size of your finger, weighs less than an ounce, and attaches to most any eyeglasses; takes a picture, and then speaks to you, the information.
So if people want to try OrCam, they can go to the website and find more information at orcam.com. That’s O-r-C-a-m.com. And they can write in their information or call in number, and then they’d be linked up with a distributor and have a demo. And I think that’s the best thing to do with any technology and OrCam included. Have that first initial demo and see if it’s something for you.
As a good friend of mine said -- who has RP and uses a lot of different technologies -- he said, technology is a very personal issue. It’s a very personal item for an individual. And it’s just about trying things to see what works for you.
SB: Absolutely. And what’s the cost?
BW: Sorry. The cost is – there’s two different versions of OrCam. One is OrCam MyEye, which does facial recognition, product recognition, reading off of any surface and much more, which is $4500. And then, they have the OrCam MyReader, which just does reading only for individuals who don’t want all the other features, and that one is $3500. It also can be covered by some state agencies or some departments of rehabilitation, depending on the state, as well as any veteran, it’s covered through the VA.
SB: Great. Bryan, thanks so much for being on Blind Bargains.
BW: Thank you so much. Thanks for having us.
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Joe Steinkamp is no stranger to the world of technology, having been a user of video magnification and blindness related electronic devices since 1979. Joe has worked in radio, retail management and Vocational Rehabilitation for blind and low vision individuals in Texas. He has been writing about the A.T. Industry for 15 years and podcasting about it for almost a decade.
