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((PLAYBOOK SLUG: LogOn: Shoe Navigation
HEADLINE: LogOn: Vibrations Lead the Way for the Blind and Visually Impaired
TEASER: Japanese tech startup helping blind users navigate more safely, one step at a time.
PUBLISHED AT: 05/23/2023 at 11:15AM
BYLINE: Tina Trinh
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Las Vegas, NV
VIDEOGRAPHER: Tina Trinh
VIDEO EDITOR: Tina Trinh
SCRIPT EDITORS: Stearns, Mia Bush, MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA original, Ashirase
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 1:59
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: Interviewee is not fluent in English, grammar errors are verbatim.))
((INTRO))
[[Blind and visually impaired people often rely on walking sticks and guide dogs to help them navigate streets and sidewalks, but one Japanese startup is bringing navigation technology directly to their shoes. Tina Trinh reports.]]
((Mandatory CG: YouTube logo Ashirase))
((NARRATOR))
For the blind and visually impaired, getting around often means using a guide dog or walking stick. But in Japan, there are helpful clues right beneath your feet -- Braille blocks.
((Ryohei Tokuda, Ashirase Director of Development))
“It is famous in Japan, so they are everywhere, in road, in Japan.”
((Mandatory CG: YouTube logo Ashirase))
((NARRATOR))
These tactile pavement surfaces have spread across the world, guiding users with physical cues they can feel.
((Mandatory CG: YouTube logo Ashirase))
Japanese startup Ashirase (“AH-shee-RAH-say”) is taking the idea a step further, bringing the external sensations in.
((Ryohei Tokuda, Ashirase Director of Development))
“How do realize braille block inside the shoe? This is our first point.”
((NARRATOR)) ((Mandatory CG: YouTube logo Ashirase))
The Ashirase, in-shoe navigation system guides users with vibrations…
… and motion sensors placed inside ((end credit)) their shoes.
((Ryohei Tokuda, Ashirase Director of Development))
“There are three area vibrator inside the one device, and you need to use both devices on both shoe.”
((NARRATOR))
With the smart devices connected to an app via Bluetooth, ((Mandatory CG: YouTube logo Ashirase)) users enter their destination and a route is mapped out.
Motion sensors detect the direction a user is heading in and vibrate on either the left or right foot, indicating which way to go. ((end credit)) The speed of vibrations also varies.
((Ryohei Tokuda, Ashirase Director of Development))
“The tempo of vibration is corresponding to the distance ((Mandatory CG: YouTube logo Ashirase)) to the corner. When user approach to the corner, ((end credit)) tempo vibration increases.”
((NARRATOR)) ((Mandatory CG: YouTube logo Ashirase))
The developers say these cues allow blind and visually impaired users to focus on gathering other important information about their surroundings.
They say with Ashirase, directions are one less thing to worry about. ((end credit))
((Ryohei Tokuda, Ashirase Director of Development))
“Ashirase can follow the route, so they can focus on the safety.”
((NARRATOR)) ((Mandatory CG: YouTube logo Ashirase))
It’s a vision for more freedom and autonomy.
((Tina Trinh, VOA News, Las Vegas))
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