hello friends.
I am considering purchasing an iPhone Pro model, but my main reason is the LiDAR sensor.
I have heard that it can enhance accessibility for the blind, helping with navigation and object detection. However, I want to know if it is truly practical and useful in real-life scenarios.
My Questions:
1. **How effective is the LiDAR sensor for blind individuals?**
2. **Are there specific applications that utilize LiDAR for accessibility?**
3. **Can it truly help in walking independently and navigating obstacles?**
4. **Is it worth the investment solely for accessibility, or is it more of a tech gimmick?**
I would appreciate insights from those who use an iPhone Pro with LiDAR for accessibility purposes. Does it make a significant difference in daily life, or should I consider other assistive devices? Your suggestions and experiences will help me make an informed decision before making this investment.
Looking forward to your thoughts!
Thank you
Comments
Check J Mosen
J Mosen did podcast on it. livingblindfully.
had a pro max got rid of it
the Lidar is more of a tech gimmic then anything. There aren't many apps out that use it I would save yourself money and go with the 16 E again Keep in mind I had a 15 pro max.
I agree with Dennis. I had…
I agree with Dennis. I had the 13 Pro before, pretty sure it had that sensor. I have the regular 16 now, and have noticed no difference. Can't think of one single time when I actually used it.
If I were bying today...
I have a 15 Pro. While I'm not planning to do what Dennis has done, since my phone is working fine, if I were buying today, I would definitely go with the 16e.
Useful sensor for me
I use it, although not every day. This sensor is useful in buildings whose layout I am familiar with but where there is a risk of colliding with other people or obstacles. For example, when walking through a hotel or an office building, I know how to get to a specific place, so I don’t need a cane. However, I still want to receive information about open doors, a cleaning cart, or other pedestrians so I can avoid these obstacles.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that the Pro models feature not only LiDAR but also a much more accurate GPS.
LiDar
You'll need a specialised app to use it at all, it can work if like said previously you're confident of a flat floor, but I'm not comfortable walking around with my phone in hand just in case someone decides to steal it. On the other hand I have an air tag in a holder hanging off the inside of my front door and that is incredibly useful, if you know other people with iphones that have the ultrawideband chip you can also use your phone to go from in the same general area to within normal conversation distance but I haven't tried this,.
Ultimately smart glasses will solve this issue
Give it about a year or two. Realistically, the smart glasses that are coming out will resolve a lot of issues for the blind. I believe even the echo vision glasses are going to have Lidar. The Google glasses and the next generation Meta glasses will probably use it in some form. Although smart phones aren’t going anywhere, a lot of what we are going to be able to do will be on something that’s going to be pretty much on our face all the time. So, I say wait through 2025 into 2026 and see what comes out. I think you’ll be happy with the results. Even Apple is going to have smart classes sometime in 2027 or so
V. I.
Works well for VI and others. With time more things will be posible. After all the military use it.
Nah, Save Your Money
If I were buying today, I'd get the regular iPhone 16 (I have the 15 Pro Max now). The features are mostly gimmicks and barely work as it is, so unless you know you need them (or other Pro features), then I shouldn't bother. JMO, of course, but the only feature I'd actively miss—and then, honestly, not realistically by much—is the 10 GBPS data transfer of the USB-C port. I do think it stupidly stingy of Apple to restrict that to a "Pro" phone; 480 MBPS is just embarrassing, sorry. There is no defence for it. Otherwise fine, especially with Wi-Fi 7 now available to soften the blow.