Dream-Racer goes live ...

About a week ago I described a new project we had underway called "Domino". Just to recap, Domino is a large button, switch adapted, TV remote designed for people with limited hand and finger movement or those that have difficulty seeing and using a remote with small buttons.

Development work is complete and it has been CE certified.

Over the next three weeks we will be gearing-up to produce Domino for sales in June.

Although we started out with the idea of producing a TV remote Domino is able to do much more. It can learn the infra-red (IR) codes of most TV, DVD, video remotes on the UK market. In addition, it can learn the IR codes used to control, for example, automated doors and windows plus many other IR adapted environmental equipment found in the home.

We plan to produce a range of Domino-IR devices including a version for Sky, Sky Plus and Freeview receivers all with large button layouts to help navigate the on-screen electronic programme guide these systems use.

The change over from analogue to digital TV broadcasting in the UK will have a significant impact on how viewers watch TV. All users - disabled as well as able bodied - will need to select TV programmes and schedule recordings using an on-screen electronic programming guide, or EPG for short.

Anyone using a Sky or Freeview set top box will already be using an EPG accessed through the remote that came with their receiver.

But, individuals with limited hand and finger dexterity will likely find it difficult to press the small buttons on standard remotes and, instead, may prefer to use an adapted device to operate their TV and Sky or Freeview receiver. Moving to an on-screen electronic programming guide will likely make it more difficult for these individuals to access their favourite programmes.

To address this issue we have started work on a switch adapted, larger button, remote that will help disabled individuals work the EPG on their digital TV, Sky, Sky Plus, or Freeview receivers and recorders.

We've called the device "Domino". Over the next month or so we will complete the development work and CE testing. Our goal is to have units available commercially in time for the Beijing Olympics in August 2008.

These are pictures of the working prototypes we have built so far. Both are programmable infra-red units that can "learn" the codes from an existing controller. Any standard 3.5 mm switch can be connected and used in preference or alongside the big Domino buttons.

The unit pictured left can control six functions on four separate devices such as TV, DVD, video recorder and satellite receiver. The unit pictured right has a dedicated layout of the main buttons found on a Sky Box.

I'll describe their functions and operation in more detail in my next post.

Mike

Engineers at The Soundbeam Project Ltd., Bristol, UK, have approved Dream-Melody as suitable for use with Soundbeam equipment.

Soundbeam has been most extensively and thoroughly evaluated with children with Severe Learning Difficulties and Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities.

Dream-Melody consists of a cap containing three motion sensors and a switch box. Movement of the head - forwards, left and right - triggers the Soundbeam equipment allowing the user to create a range of musical expressions.

Mike

This week Naidex 2008 get underway at the NEC, Birmingham. This is an excerpt from the official web site:

"As the UK’s largest event for homecare, disability and rehabilitation, Naidex is your best opportunity to touch, test and compare all the latest new products and services available."

Naidex 2007 was the event we chose to launch Dream-Racer with support from QED our UK distributor. This year QED will be showing our new range of switch adapted Dream-Toys, as well as Dream-Racer and they will have information available covering all the other Dream-Products we have developed for disabled and special needs individuals. (Dream-Mouse, Dream-Gamer, Dream-Melody)

We've also planned a meeting with BSKYB to discuss a new TV product. We now have a switch adapted TV remote that works the on-screen electronic programme guide (EPG) used in a Sky receiver. We think this will create a lot of interest from Sky subscribers that have difficulty using the regular remote.

Next we plan to begin work on an adapted remote for digital set-top boxes that deliver the Freeview service.

More on this later.

Mike

In January we met up with Tim from The Soundbeam Project Ltd. We'd never met before and I think he was a little surprised when we asked if we could plug some new kit into his Soundbeam equipment.

Just in case you don't know what Soundbeam is or does take a look at their web site. But, in essence it is musical equipment that uses sensors to translate body movement into digitally generated sounds and images.

Here's the connection: Soundbeam uses body movement and our new kit, we call it Dream-Melody, is a trio of motion sensitive switches activated by head movement.  

Plugging Dream-Melody directly into the Soundbeam equipment allows users to create music through head movement.

Two minutes later, Roger, a music teacher at Woodlands Special Needs School, Plymouth, walked onto the stand and saw what we had and wanted to have a go. He got really excited about the possibility it could open up for some of his students. I don't remember whether he asked or we volunteered it but Roger took Dream-Melody back to Woodlands with him.

A few weeks later he sent us some pictures of his students in a music session using Dream-Melody and some suggestions for improvements.

Since them we've completed the design and Tim is taking it to the Soundbeam user forum later this month to demonstrate it to a larger group. More to follow.

Mike