Smart glasses help woman keep guide dog safe in heat

A visually-impaired woman has said AI-enhanced smart glasses help her stay independent during hot weather while protecting her guide dog.

Lorraine Virco, from Preston in Lancashire, has optic nerve atrophy, a condition that was detected during a routine eye test eight years ago and is causing her to gradually lose her sight.

The 44-year-old said she loves spending time outdoors with her three-year-old guide dog, Gigi, but has to take extra care during periods of hot weather.

Guide Dogs UK said dogs should not be worked or trained when temperatures reach 24C because of the risk of heatstroke.

Lorraine, who is medically retired from her job as a teaching assistant, said she relies on a white cane and AI-powered smart glasses as an alternative form of safe mobility when it is too hot to take Gigi out.

The glasses look like standard eyewear but have built-in cameras, open-ear audio and artificial intelligence software.

"I can ask them where I am and they'll tell me what street I'm on," Lorraine said.

"If I go into a supermarket, I can video call somebody and they can see what I'm looking at and help me find things on the shelf.

"I can call Be My Eyes and that does the same thing."

Be My Eyes is a free app that connects blind and low-vision users with sighted volunteers and AI for real-time visual assistance.

"I can take photos and ask, 'What am I looking at?' and it'll tell me. I can also ask for more description.

"They read letters, appointment information and bus timetables too."

Lorraine said the technology was not as enjoyable as spending time with Gigi, but it helped her keep the dog safe during hot weather.

"She supports me on buses, finds the kerb, finds crossing points and helps me navigate through town, busy shopping centres and train stations," Lorraine said.

"On a day-to-day basis, we've got our set routes that we can do.

"We go to my local choir, which Gigi absolutely loves."

She said she still made sure Gigi received plenty of stimulation at home.

"She's got toys and brain activities to do, like a toy where we hide biscuits and she's got to find them."

Sally McCoy, from Guide Dogs UK, said: "We strongly advise people not to work their dogs if there's an amber or red weather warning because of the heat.

"Certainly, when temperatures reach 24C, nobody should be working or training their dogs."

She said signs of heatstroke could include excessive panting, drooling and unusual lethargy.

"If that does happen, then the dogs need to be cooled down gradually, but in extreme cases heatstoke can lead to seizures or even be fatal," she said.

Ms McCoy said hot weather could make life more difficult for visually impaired people who relied on guide dogs.

"If people still need to get out to work or visit elderly relatives, they can use a long cane or another form of safe mobility and leave their dogs at home, somewhere cool and with access to water."

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