FIRST Robotics for the Blind?

[IMDWalrus]

Originally Posted by MikeWasHere05

One of the things on my To Do list has been to create a coordinate system for our '06 bot. Basically, set up a cartesian grid and be able to tell a robot what coordinates to go to. Maybe I can also add in the feature of audio feedback, where it would say what position it's currently at, and audio input, where you would verbally say where you want it to go and it would go there and report when there. I'd be more than willing to help out with a project like this, so if you need any programmers gimme a call =)

Didn't Wildstang use a coordinate-based system for their autonomous back in 2003?

I don't recall them having any kind of audio feedback, but I do remember a Windows interface where you could click and set waypoints for the robot to go to. It shouldn't be too difficult to adapt their system to give audio cues as feedback, or to eliminate the Windows interface.

And even though we never got it working during the season, the CMU Cam could be useful here to help the robot figure out where it is on the field...

[Mike]

Originally Posted by IMDWalrus

And even though we never got it working during the season, the CMU Cam could be useful here to help the robot figure out where it is on the field...

Only advantage I see to that, is it doesn't have to start in a certain position. Having stuff that you can't control (such as lighting) would make this just as much a problem in this project as it was during the season. The only thing I can think of, is possibly integrating the two. Somehow, in the beginning, use the camera to find where you are on the field. Then you can use the coordinate system.

[JamesBrown]

well this is something i have been putting thought into, their is a blind student at our school who was very interested in the robot and wants to join next year. So far I havent been able to come up with a good way to work him into our program but I would definitly like to. The thing that amazed me the most is that one night when the bot was at school he and I went through the whole robot and he felt each piece, this was about 4 weeks ago and he still can relativly accurately describe parts on the bot to ask me questions about it. It seems like a shame to lose someone with this ability and with this desire to get involved. However many people are tending to discourage him, one of our mentors was questioning why I was l;etting him touch it. I feel I need to come up with a solution soon if I am going to get him involved next season.

[petek]

Originally Posted by MikeWasHere05

I'd be more than willing to help out with a project like this, so if you need any programmers gimme a call =)

This is one of the things which I really love about FIRST: post a problem and all these great people jump at the chance to solve it! I don't know where this is going yet, but I will definitely keep you in the loop.

Originally Posted by JamesBrown

The thing that amazed me the most is that one night when the bot was at school he and I went through the whole robot and he felt each piece, this was about 4 weeks ago and he still can relativly accurately describe parts on the bot to ask me questions about it.

It sounds like the experience made a big impression on your friend. It also sounds like he has a real interest in robotics.

It seems like a shame to lose someone with this ability and with this desire to get involved. However many people are tending to discourage him, one of our mentors was questioning why I was l;etting him touch it..

Since I don't know your team's situation, I shouldn't judge. However, Cary told us that one of the challenges he had to overcome were the teachers who tried to dissuade him from pursuing his interest in chemistry. There is a common perception that the blind are not capable of functioning in areas like science and engineering.

I don't know what blind people are or are not capable of, so I don't think I should be setting limits, except to prevent someone from being injured. I suppose that highly visually-oriented tasks, CAD for example, might not make the best place for him to start, but there are a number of areas where he could probably be productive. Programming, strategy, brainstorming and design conceptualization are all primarily mental activities. While he might not be as productive as sighted people at things like mechanical assembly and wiring, I'd think he could probably do those things with assistance.

If you are up for the challenge, maybe you could take your friend under your wing and help him show the rest of the team that he can make a contribution. Most likely the doubters are just reacting like most people do when confronted with the unknown - with doubt and imagining the worst.

[sure_smile]

Originally Posted by JamesBrown

well this is something i have been putting thought into, their is a blind student at our school who was very interested in the robot and wants to join next year. So far I havent been able to come up with a good way to work him into our program but I would definitly like to. The thing that amazed me the most is that one night when the bot was at school he and I went through the whole robot and he felt each piece, this was about 4 weeks ago and he still can relativly accurately describe parts on the bot to ask me questions about it. It seems like a shame to lose someone with this ability and with this desire to get involved. However many people are tending to discourage him, one of our mentors was questioning why I was l;etting him touch it. I feel I need to come up with a solution soon if I am going to get him involved next season.

why are they trying to discourage him? i understand that the team may have to make adaptations to let him do things, but isn't that what FIRST is about, getting everyone involved and giving them equal opportunities? I think that was so nice of you to go through your robot with him and you deserve a pat on the back! *gives virtual pat on the back* I really hope that your mentor (the one questioning why you let him touch the robot) reads this and realizes that no matter what limitations a person has, they should be included, and that the kid gets to be a part of your team next year. I think its so awesome that you're all trying to come up with ways to make FIRST accesible for people with visual impairments.

[JamesBrown]

My team is small and my school has very limited resourcesfor me to use, however a man who works with me at a summer camp spent years volunteering at a school for the blind and deaf andhas agreed to help me develop a plan.

TThe reason I see for the discouraging is that they dont see how he could fit in or how we could help him and quite frankly they feel we dont have the time during build season to change things, I feel however that we have 7 months to get him used to what we do and let him get involved.

My self and my girlfriend have worked with him in many clubs and do our best to keep him involved. I am pleanty willing to take him under my wing, however I am a programmer, well i gues I am every thing, I helped with design and building and did all the programming. He already told me he didnt think he dold to the programming because his ability to type is limited. However I am not going to give up trying to find the spot for him, my selling point for the team is that there is a place for every one but this one is proving a little bit of a challenge (then again I havent had a good challenge since those 6 weeks in the winter ended.) I have one question for those of you who have been to the manchester kickoff, do you think it would be possible for him to walk the field next year so he could understand the game without seeing the animation?

My final thing to say is if any of you ever get a chance to converse with some one blind or deaf (yes 90% of deaf persons can carry on a conversation in some manner.) take advantage of it, I garuntee it will rank among the best you ever had these people in no way see tthere disability as a hinderance and instead develop incredible abilities in other areas.

[petek]

Thanks to Winged Globe for the first additions to a library of information to show people that blind and visually-impaired people can do things we expect of FIRST team members.

MMS Online Feature Article - Adapting And Advancing - about a machine shop staffed with blind people
The Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind - whose mission is "To create and enhance opportunities for independence and self-sufficiency of people who are blind, Deaf-Blind, and blind with other disabilities." - operators of that machine shop and other businesses.

Anyone else with experiences or links like these, please post!

[Mike]

Originally Posted by JamesBrown

He already told me he didnt think he dold to the programming because his ability to type is limited.

Don't limit programming to just hitting keys, there is a lot of logic/design involved (as you probably already know). What about having him work with you on the logical part of it, and you typing the code. Develop a flowchart with him, tell him what the robot did right/wrong and then work with him on fixing it.

[babbish]

I believe that Truck Town 68 had two deaf alumnus within it's eight year history.

[OZ_341]

Originally Posted by babbish

I believe that Truck Town 68 had two deaf alumnus within it's eight year history.

We have had 2 deaf students on our team.

One of them just graduated last year as a 4 year member of the team and is now attending RIT. He was an awesome build team designer and a great kid. Our team misses him a whole lot.

He also volunteers at many FIRST events like Rochester, Philly and our own Ramp Riot off-season comp.

Nothing has ever stopped this guy from reaching his goals.

[tomi1787]

Hello to all,
I know this thread is outdated. I mean, cmon, 2005!
But I think it is the perfect thread to post in, as the original intent is having FIRST for disabilities.
I've been involved with FIRSt since 2007, the year in which me and my team attended a competition, Buckeye regional. At the time, I wasn't as into the team and what we do for the competitions as I was this year. Being blind with only light prception on my right eye, I don't do much of the building. Heh, I can just imagine me pllugging the wrong wire in and causing total chaos.
But there are other things I do. I like programming, and since I was born in a foreign country (Hungary), have been learning it from my dad since I was 8. Those were the Pascal days. But since C and Borland in general has roots with Pascal, it was easier for me to addept to C and C++ rather than something like Java. So I don't do much object orientated programming, I like a simple IDE better. I use screen reading software
www.freedomscientific.com
which converts the screen into a synthesized voice.

Personally I don't consider blindness as a disability, but rather as something that gives me more adventure and taste to my life. If you were present at this year's competitions, you might of seen me as we were taking the creativity award for this year. Having no vision, I can concentrate more on feelings, sounds, emotions...
I'm prowd to be part of the team, as it does give me a unique experience in High School.
Many of my friends say that they would rather go deaf than blind. I think both disabilities have advantages and disadvantages, even in the perspective of first -- if I were deaf, I would do lots of building work as I can see where to put and drill. Being blind, I'm concentrated more on programming and websites. I do html, which I hope to improve as I'm basic at it.

Lastly, I am also glad to see that Team 47 recognizes the need to do something for the Blind. Technology and work has improved a lot over the past years for the blind, and I am glad to see that, and with that it is nice to know that many recognize the blind as part of society.
I am open to any questions, regarding FIRST Events, the blind...

Thanks for everything

-TOmi

[RoboMom]

Originally Posted by tomi1787

I am open to any questions, regarding FIRST Events, the blind...



-TOmi

Tomi,
Thanks for updating this thread.
I am looking for advice and support networks to pass on for an inquiry on having a new student joining the FIRST family who happens to be blind.

General advice can be posted here. Specifics including contact information can be sent to my email at jbeatty@usfirst.org

Thanks!