Module 2: Following Glide

Section 14 of 41

Walking forward

Check that Glide is set for indoor navigation; in standby position, press and hold the right button to toggle between outdoor and indoor settings. With your back to the chosen starting point of reference, face forward, 12 o’clock, towards Glide’s box. Then, position Glide in front of you. Check your alignment using the technique described earlier. Press the Glide button, and simply walk forward. Walking with Glide should feel smooth and easy. You are not pushing Glide with muscle and force, you are just taking steps at your own pace and following behind the device. Relax your arms along your sides. The wrist of your grip hand can be resting on your hip or floating close to it.

As you approach the box 10 feet away, you will experience Glide’s brakes engaging as you come to a complete stop. Notice the resistance in the wheels as the brakes stop; do not override or force them forward. When Glide stops you, it is informing you that there is an obstacle or drop-off ahead and it is not safe to continue in that direction.

Let’s try that again. Put Glide in standby position on the kickstand facing forward and turn 180 degrees to face your starting point of reference. You can lift Glide up by the handle or simply pivot it on its wheels. Consider making one 90 degree turn right or left then a second 90 degree turn in that same direction. Check your body’s alignment then add Glide. Relax your arms and walk forward, following behind Glide. You will feel resistance through the wheels as you approach your starting point, stopping just close enough to reach out and touch with your free hand. Great, now you know what walking forward and stopping with Glide feels like! And, making 180 degree turns. Practice walking forward with Glide like this a few more times before moving on.

Avoiding obstacles

Now let's try that with an obstacle partially blocking your path. Leave Glide in standby position while you place the box vertical (tall and thin) 5 feet away from your starting point of reference. Make sure there is enough space for you to safely walk past the box without bumping other obstacles, walls, or encountering stairs. Walk back to your starting point. Check your alignment. Put Glide in ready position. Slowly walk forward towards the box. Remember, you are not pushing Glide, you are merely walking with it in front of you. When Glide sees the box, it will decide which is the safest way to go around it. You will feel Glide moving to the right or the left to avoid the obstacle. Keep your grip hand in front of your hip at waist level. Shift your shoulders to follow Glide in the new direction. This will take some practice! Once you and Glide have safely passed the box, Glide will steer you back to the original route. Stay behind Glide and follow your hand in the new direction. After a few steps, Glide will come to a stop, you have walked 10 feet. Practice following Glide around obstacles a few more times before moving on.

Scanning

You can use Glide’s cameras to search for a clear path around an obstacle. Bring Glide very close to the vertical box, with the cameras and kickstand facing the box 12 o’clock forward. You will feel resistance from the wheels since Glide’s cameras detect an obstacle in your path so it applied the brakes to keep you safe. With your feet planted, pivot your wrist to aim your knuckles slightly left, 11 o’clock. Do you still feel resistance, or do the wheels roll? Turn your wrist farther left, aiming Glide’s cameras to 10 o’clock. Are the brakes locked, or can you move forward? If the brakes are on and you cannot move, the box is still blocking your path. If you do not feel resistance and the wheels roll easily without forcing them, the path is clear in that direction. Now reset Glide to face the box and try scanning to the right. With your feet planted, pivot your wrist right and aim your knuckles towards 1 o’clock, 2 o’clock, then 3 o’clock and notice how Glide responds. This technique is very helpful if you ever get stuck behind an obstacle or in a dead-end. When the brakes release and you can walk, tap the Glide button to confirm this is the direction you want to continue walking.