Guest Blog: Introducing Perceptron
Nolan Darilek
May 11, 2016
As a blind person, mobile technology has vastly simplified my life. I can call a car, have groceries delivered, or read documents at the tap of an icon. Yet, there are so many small visual tasks that no single app can perform. Even with all of today's digital conveniences, I am amazed that finding a poorly-marked bus stop, mapping the buttons on a new stereo, or catching my hiding cat are things which we can't say "you know, there's an app for that." Until now.
Perceptron is an app I'm developing that connects blind clients with sighted assistants by video for help in real-time. Clients get the help they need precisely when they need it. Assistants do meaningful work that makes a difference.
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Here's how it all started: the day began innocently enough–just a quick run to deposit a check and then I’d be back to work. The area was new to me, but it was in an active part of town, and I was sure I’d find someone to help if I needed it.
Only, when I arrived at what my GPS assured me was the bank, I found nothing but identical, nondescript buildings. While I certainly could (and ultimately did) wander into each to ask whether it was the bank, the delay caused me to miss my bus. I imagined requesting help at the touch of a button. In seconds, I could drop into a video chat with an assistant in a call center. They’d know my location, see what was in front of me, and could turn a 15-minute task into just a few seconds.
Fast-forward 7 years. Mobile networks are nearly ubiquitous in large American cities, and are fast enough to stream high-definition movies simultaneously to thousands of devices. Communication technologies have advanced such that it is possible, albeit not simple; to build sophisticated video chat experiences during a weekend hack-a-thon. Numerous internet services vastly simplify the process of building what were once large, complex applications. Most importantly, the computer I carry on my belt is significantly faster and more capable than was the one sitting at home on my desk.
Perceptron is the app I wish I’d had those long years ago.
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On May 9, 2016, I announced my next phase in Perceptron's development– a crowd-funding campaign to push Perceptron over the starting line in order to go public in a few months! Regardless of what happens, I will consistently blog about Perceptron’s progress for as long as I can keep the lights on.
I’ll also be blogging about blind entrepreneurism. Our voices aren’t often heard in this space, and when they are they are usually relegated to the background. It’s past time for that to change, but it won’t if we simply stand off to one side and hope for it.
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About Nolan
Nolan has been a software developer for nearly 25 years. His first app, written at the age of 11, was a quiz about cats. Since then he's moved onto more serious pursuits, though his feline roommate might dispute this characterization, and spends his time coding for Android and the web.
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