SONIC PATHFINDER
--- DISCONTINUED. (Verified 04/2012) RETAINED IN DATABASE FOR REFERENCE. ---The Sonic Pathfinder is an audible electronic mobility aid designed for use by individuals who are blind or have low vision. This electronic obstacle detector gives the user advanced warning of objects which lie within his or her travel path. It is a head-mounted pulse-echo sonar system controlled by a microcomputer, with five ultrasonic transducers mounted on a headband, comprising two transmitters and three receivers, one pointing left, one right, and one straight ahead. The two transmitters are angled so as to irradiate the user's pathway with ultrasonic energy. Echoes from objects lying within this pathway are received by the three receiving transducers and this information is processed by the on-board computer. The output is fed to one or other of the two ear pieces depending on whether the object is on the left or the right of the user, or to both ear pieces if the object lies directly in the travel path. The device does not give information about the surface texture of the objects which produce the echo signal. Priority is given to the nearest object and to objects which lie in the center.
Notes: The manufacturer states that this device is a secondary mobility aid, and is not suitable for anyone who does not have primary mobility skills. It is designed for use out-of-doors in conjunction with either a cane, a guide dog or residual vision. Use of the device must be taught by a correctly trained Mobility Instructor. One or three day training courses are provided from time to time for Mobility and Orientation Instructors who wish to become Accredited Sonic Pathfinder Instructors. The courses are conducted either by the inventor of the Sonic Pathfinder, Tony Heyes, or by an Accredited Sonic Pathfinder Course Tutor.
Price: Contact manufacturer.
This product record was updated on April 20, 2012.
This product is available from:
Manufacturer:
Perceptual Alternatives
To the best of our knowledge, this company no longer sells assistive products. We list inactive companies for reference purposes only. The contact information listed is the last known for this company; current contact information is not available. If you have updated information on this company, please contact AbleData.
40 Rowan St.Doncaster East, Victoria 3109, Australia
Web: No known web address.
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