News
Virtual guide dog for leading blind in Second Life
10 July 2009
Online virtual world Second Life now has its own virtual guide dog
available to help blind and partially sighted people, a German Shepherd
called Max.
Max revolutionises how people with a visual impairment navigate the
global community and can even read signs, using text to speech
technology.
The cyber pooch is keyboard controlled, rather than by mouse. It
simulates the experience of the ‘real world’, listening to sound and
other helpful messages to find its bearings; so being unable to see the
screen isn’t a problem.
Max makes it easy for visually impaired users to log on and it can
solve problems; it is designed to help people with sight loss navigate
by finding any object, including other characters (avatars), and taking
the blind person’s avatar to a virtual meeting.
Max gives constant feedback about the immediate surrounding area, so
like a real guide dog, he helps visually impaired users avoid crashing
into other people and objects. He assists them in navigating the virtual
world, reading messages and information with text to speech technology.
Max the virtual guide dog in Second Life
Bridget Warr, chief executive of Guide Dogs said: “This is a
significant technological development, meaning blind and partially
sighted people now have greater mobility and enhanced vision in the
virtual world. Max is one clever dog, opening up new opportunities for
those with sight loss.”
Max is free to use, and is available with a ‘Vision Quest’, designed
to help participants experience what it’s like to work with a guide dog
and to write stories about those experiences.
Second Life is an ideal place for blind and partially sighted people
to explore social networks, take classes, start businesses, and
experience a wide range of languages and cultures. Second Life also
offers access to vast range of audio content, including live music
performances, presentations by speakers, and educational forums.
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