So who needs a compass ?

[SJC]

As shown on the BBC Horizon programme tonight:

At the University of Osnabruck in Germany, a group of scientists have been developing the remarkable 'feel-space' belt which allows the wearer to feel the earth's magnetic field, just like birds do. For six weird weeks twelve volunteers wore the vibrating sensory belt every moment of their waking day and sure enough at the end of their trial all the evidence suggests that they managed to incorporate their new sense, navigating their way around the world instinctively by-passing the need for attention altogether.

http://feelspace.cogsci.uni-osnabrueck. ... gy_01.html

[andypat]

What about that blind guy last night on the programme about illusion and the senses that had learned to ride a bike by echolocating? That would be handy for Night O. You could switch off the torch as you near the control to avoid followers!

[AndyO]

sounds batty to me

[andypat]

Jesus! - back in the old days the bots could at least spell.......

[AndyO]

...more to be pitied than scolded...

[buzz]

Orienteering for the blind has been around since the 80's, at least, using similar belts for orientation. I vaguely recall visiting a research group in Sheffield and seeng videos of events in Sweden.

The competitors also used their sense of hearing to pin point specific features such as streams or roads, and to sense open or forested areas.

They learnt about maps by making embossed maps of mini terrain in cardboard boxes at 1:1 themselves and then progressing to maps of a gym with various obstacles to negotiate.

Brilliant stuff.