Trekker BreezeAn Independent travel aid for the blind

& visually impaired

Dominic Gagliano VP Blindness SalesMike Tindell Product SpecialistDavid Waggener South Eastern Sales Rep

Accessible GPS Devices

First things first!

GPS is not a replacement for good mobility skills

GPS only tells you information about your travel – it is not a replacement for common sense

Pay attention to audio cues in your environment – traffic, construction – no headphones!

Use GPS as a supplement to good O&M skills

Why the Trekker Breeze?

PDA’s used for Trekker Pro discontinued

one piece device with built in GPS

a simple user interface = easy to learn

does not depend on learning other applications

knowledge of QWERTY keyboard or braille not required

low tech device without too many options

low cost

Trekker Breeze Key DescriptionTrekker Breeze Key Description

Repeat & Key describer

Where Am I and what’s aroundInformation

& settings`

“Go To” landmark or previously

recorded routeExplore& backtrack activation

Recordlandmark

Left & right arrows for menus & lists

Confirm a selection

Information functions

Action functions

Intuitive Interface

Selection functions

Information:

Where Am I?: Actual location, points of Interest, personal Landmarks

Repeat: Repeats last message or instruction, Key Describer mode

Information: Explore, Route, Backtrack

information about GPS-battery-city, altitude-speed, Settings

Selection:

Right arrow & Left arrow : Next item, instruction or intersection

Confirm: Mark a selection

Action:

Explore: Navigation, activate Backtrack

Go To: List of recorded routes or Landmarks (destinations)

Record: Record a Landmark or a route

Where Am I and what’s around

Information& settings`

Repeat & Key describer

Information

Confirm a selection

Left & right arrows for menus & lists

Selection

Explore & backtrack activation

“Go To” landmark or previously recorded route

Record landmark

Action

Version 1 August 2008

“Where am I”?Search for POI Record landmarksWalk to create or record routesCreate routes to pre -recorded landmarksBacktrack Motorized modeRegional maps included on SD card

Original feature list

Part One Objectivesin the classroom

Able to explain the function of the following six keys when pressed; “Where am I, Information, Repeat, Record, Explore, and Go To”

Able to explain the function of the following six keys when held down; “Where am I, Information, Repeat, Record, Explore, and Go To”

Able to use the “Where am I” key. Able to demonstrate the concept of holding down the “Where am I” key and then use the arrow keys to navigate to specific Points of Interest

Selection in the Classroom

1. Hold the Information key down and practice navigating through the settings using the Left Arrow, Confirm, and Right Arrow keys.

In the Settings Menu:

1. Use the Right Arrow to navigate to Distance Unit and change the distance unit settings to miles and feet.

2. Change all of the settings back to default, then change the distance unit setting back to miles and feet

Introduction to the Breeze Outdoors

Start using the device in a familiar area, using only the “Where am I” key.

Trekker Breeze will announce the direction you are traveling, the street you are near, the distance to this street, and the type of intersection. 

Hold the “Where am I” button down to hear the POI’s, Points of Interest. Use the left and right arrow keys navigate through the available POI’s.

Version 1.2March 2010

• Search Point of Interests by categories

Landmarks, transportation, food, banking, health,shopping, lodging, education, automotive, all categories

•Create a route to a selected Points of Interest

• More accurate and precise GPS location

• New generation Speech – clearer and louder

New Navteq MapsJuly 2010

• Thousands of additional Points of Interest• Addition of new streets and topology corrections• Updated postal codes (future feature)• Updated address ranges (changes & updates)

Record Landmarks

1. Stand next to Landmark to be recorded

2. Press-release (tap) Record button

3. After prompt, record a Landmark name in 4 seconds

4. Can record multiple Landmarks

5. Can re-name or delete Landmarks

Video of Alex recording a landmark

Record, preview and playback routes

1. Press-hold Record button (beep), record a route name in 4 seconds, start walking

2. No manipulation required during walk

3. Arrive to destination, press-hold Record button to stop recording session

4. Route is saved, can be previewed or used later

5. Press Go-To, use arrow keys to select a route, press Confirm to select and receive turn by turn instructions

Review and practice

1. Review this route indoors.

2. Press the “Go To” button and then the “Confirm” button to select this route.

3. Hold down either the “Left Arrow” or the “Right Arrow” key for an indoor preview of this route.

4. Use the arrow keys to preview this route.

5. Travel this route after you have previewed it.

6. Practice using the arrow keys to see what is coming next. The Confirm key always takes the user back to his/her position on the route.

Video of Alex recording a route

Version 2 December 2010

Pedometer

walking distance

walking time

walking speed

Backtracking

When Breeze is turned on it will remember last GPS location and reverse the route

Breeze can reverse routes that have been created and saved

• Users may now enter an exact address

• Users may create a vehicle or pedestrian route to the address

• Users can browse a route prior to walking or riding to the selected address

• Users may import an address using map manager program

Entering an Address

Entering an Address

1. User selects “Go to landmark” 2. Breeze will ask for state, city,

street and civic number

3. User holds down appropriate button and releases when desired character is heard

4. Multiple addresses may be imported from the PC using a specific website in conjunction with “Trekker Map Manager” program

Video of Alex entering in an address

The Priority Envelope is in route.  I walked to the Post Office today which is a good two miles one way.  The best part, because it was such a nice day, my husband walked with me with the two Pugs as well I had Ms. Whisper (guide dog) with me.  My husband has never really seen me walk with Whisper, my cane, and the Breeze. 

He was totally amazed at my confidence and I knew exactly where I was at all times.  I just have to remember to turn the volume down when I go inside, as I had the speaker attached and I had everyone turn around and then they all wanted to know about the Breeze.

Review

GPS is not a replacement for good mobility skills

GPS only tells you information about your travel – it is not a replacement for common sense

Use GPS as a supplement to good O&M skills

Breeze can encourage independent travel

Increases confidence in travel

Resources

Trekker Breeze Curriculum Tutorial

This manual contains extensive coverage of the Trekker Breeze. The Trekker Breeze is a very easy to use GPS device. The instructions in this manual are designed to be used as a teaching tool.

Bruce McClanahan, Assistive Technology Specialist

Vancouver, WA

brucewsb@pacifier.com

"Overview and Field Practice Using the Trekker Breeze to Create Routes and Establish a Position in Space.“

A six hours of hands on workshop offered with 6 hours of continuing educational hours. Article published in JVIB November 2011

Craig Phillips, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, MS Ed COMS

Thank you!

www.humanware.com

800-722-3393