Smart Glasses Keep Guide Dog Cool and Safe During Scorching Days

Lorraine Virco, a visually impaired woman from Preston in Lancashire, has found a new way to stay independent and keep her guide dog safe during hot weather. Lorraine has optic nerve atrophy, a condition that was discovered during a routine eye test eight years ago. This condition causes her to gradually lose her sight. Despite her challenges, Lorraine enjoys spending time outdoors with her three-year-old guide dog, Gigi. However, she must be cautious when temperatures rise, as guide dogs are at risk of heatstroke if they are active in hot weather. Guide Dogs UK recommends that dogs should not be worked or trained when the temperature reaches 24 degrees Celsius, as it can be dangerous for them.

To help her stay mobile and safe when it is too hot for Gigi to go outside, Lorraine uses AI-powered smart glasses. These glasses look like ordinary eyewear but are equipped with cameras, open-ear audio, and artificial intelligence software. Lorraine explains that she can ask the glasses where she is, and they will tell her the street she is on. When shopping, she can video call someone who can see what she is looking at and help her find items on the shelves. She also uses an app called Be My Eyes, which connects blind and low-vision users with sighted volunteers and AI for real-time visual assistance. The glasses can read letters, appointment information, and bus timetables, making daily tasks much easier for Lorraine.

Although Lorraine appreciates the technology, she admits that it is not as enjoyable as spending time with Gigi. Gigi helps her navigate buses, find kerbs and crossing points, and move through busy areas like shopping centers and train stations. Lorraine and Gigi have set routes they follow, and Gigi especially loves going to the local choir with Lorraine. When it is too hot, Gigi stays indoors, where Lorraine ensures she has plenty of toys and brain activities to keep her stimulated. Sally McCoy from Guide Dogs UK advises people not to work their dogs during amber or red weather warnings. Signs of heatstroke in dogs include excessive panting, drooling, and unusual tiredness. If a dog shows these signs, it should be cooled down gradually. Lorraine uses her white cane and smart glasses to stay active and independent, making sure Gigi is comfortable and safe at home during hot weather.