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Science is running an article on human echolocation.
...a handful of blind echolocators worldwide have taught themselves to use clicks and echoes to navigate their surroundings with impressive ease.
This follows a studies into the importance of body movement in human echolocation by Professor Lutz Wiegrebe, and although the paper itself appears to be paywalled the Science summary is fascinating.
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How Blind People Can Learn to Use Sonar
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The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
The Mind Simply Reels.
--Michael David Crawford
(Score: 3, Informative) by jcross on Wednesday November 12 2014, @09:09PM
That guy Daniel Kish teaches blind people to play soccer too. IIRC what they do is put a plastic grocery bag around the ball, so you can hear it crinkling across the ground.
(Score: 1) by Erde on Wednesday November 12 2014, @09:29PM
I guess that's cheaper than just buying the specially made balls with a jingle bell in them.
(Score: 3, Informative) by Kell on Wednesday November 12 2014, @11:19PM
I've had the pleasure of working with Daniel when he visited Australia. He's an amazing guy. His echolocation works exactly as advertised - it's good enough that he could spot a post and avoid it while walking through a parking lot.
Scientists ask questions. Engineers solve problems.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 13 2014, @01:26AM
It makes me wonder if we couldn't improve on it with a little DSP. Like a pair of sunglasses with stereo (or multiple?) emitters using ultrasonics for stealth and then a series of mini-vibrators across the front and sides. It would probably be faster to learn for people with less neuroplasticity like adults. Maybe even an emitter on your back so you can "see" behind you.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by francois.barbier on Wednesday November 12 2014, @09:24PM
Beautiful documentary on the subject:
1/5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLziFMF4DHA [youtube.com]
2/5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1QaCeosUmw [youtube.com]
3/5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikpNZOx5FGk [youtube.com]
4/5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Px-aPnk4ZU [youtube.com]
5/5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNkJ1diTxOE [youtube.com]
TL;DR: kid got both eyes removed at an early age, starts using clicks (like dolphins, or bats) to navigate around obstacles. He can ride a bike, play video games and even identify object (like a banana) on a table in front of him using only his ears. Warmly recommended...
(Score: 2) by Tramii on Thursday November 13 2014, @08:22PM
He can ride a bike, play video games and even identify objects (like a banana) on a table in front of him using only his ears.
Wait... WHAT?