Tech
TV Tech Live: Technologies for the
Blind
The Dobelle Implant and
Seeing with Sound
I. The
Dobelle Implant
View this Windows Media video on the Dobelle implant.
Low bandwidth:
http://www.g4techtv.com/html/videostream.asp?file=ttv/technews/2002/TL021021a_56_0.asf
High bandwidth:
http://www.g4techtv.com/html/videostream.asp?file=ttv/technews/2002/TL021021a_165_0.asf
More information on the Dobelle implant here:
http://www.dobelle.com/asaio1.html
http://www.canoe.ca/CNEWSScience0001/17_blind.html
Vocabulary:
| miracle gift sight researchers headset biotechnology Mark Levinson Catalog of Tomorrow Star Trek science fiction glasses Canadian parking lot row fifth sense |
to restore absolutely to adore device Dobelle Institute experimental digital camera wired into brain faded dot-matrix pattern vision low-resolution grainy to win federal approval |
patient eyesight potential to light up to throw back curtains sunshine to equate s.t. to no less resolution image breakthrough hurdle steep to tune in Eastern (standard time) |
Listening
comprehension questions:
1. Describe how this technology can help a blind person to 'see'.
2. Can you get this implant in the United States?
3. How does this user feel about his experience with this technology?
4. About what does the implant cost?
5. Name some of the advantages of this technology.
6. Name some of the disadvantages of this technology.
II. Seeing with Sound: Peter Meijer and the vOICe
Visit Peter's Web site at: http://www.seeingwithsound.com/javoice.htm
and try painting a picture with sound!
View the Windows Media video on the vOICe.
Low bandwidth:
http://www.g4techtv.com/html/videostream.asp?file=ttv/technews/2002/tl020402e_56_0.asf
High bandwidth:
http://www.g4techtv.com/html/videostream.asp?file=ttv/technews/2002/tl020402e_165_0.asf
Vocabulary:
| to be
blinded chemical plant accident Patsy Fletcher to insist headphones branches to dredge up memories to trigger the vOICe sunglasses tiny built-in spy cam backpack |
laptop to convert soundscapes hallway Beta tester Dutch designer Peter Meijer to pay s.o. a visit Eindhoven Holland giant Philips Electronics image to scan pitch |
height sound bursts to correspond to squares row of windows to be quick to to spell out shortcomings depth perception to track to master to provide low vision primitive extension Rick Lockridge |
Listening
comprehension questions:
1. How and when did Patsy become blinded?
2. How does the vOICe work?
3. How does Patsy say the vOICe helps her to see?
4. Where is inventor Peter Meijer based?
6. What are some of the advantages of the vOICe?
7. What are some of its disadvantages?
8. If you were blind, which of these two technologies do you think you'd choose,
and why?