FPVTherapy is a project that's sole purpose is to expose the Radio Controlled (R.C.) hobby to individuals with disabilities that may have difficulty using "traditional" methods. FPVTherapy aims to provide video instruction on all aspects of the hobby from the perspective of someone with a disability, offering first-hand experience and insight many of the hurdles we face while enjoying the R.C. hobby. In the beginning, FPVTherapy will focus on R.C. flight -- specifically "multirotor" vehicles, also called "quadcopters" and "drones", due to their abundance and ease of use.
FPVTherapy was founded by Jay Almers in central North Carolina, U.S.A. Jay is a "gadget guy" who enjoys R.C. flight but found a gaping hole in the hobby. In 2008 Jay, an avid rock climber, had a terrible accident while doing what he loved. He fell around 120 feet while rock climbing in the mountains of North Carolina, fracturing his skull and leaving him with a moderate Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among countless other physical traumas. Due to Jay's brain injury, he has difficulty with spatial placement and orientation while flying these machines. "Traditional" R.C. flight and operation, also known as "Line of Sight" flying, requires the operator to fly the vehicle from an external perspective -- something very difficult for those with similar defecits. Enter the world of "First Person View" or FPV.
FPV puts the operator "inside" the vehicle by using an onboard video camera and wireless video transmitter. The transmitter sends the video back to a receiver that displays the video from the perspective of the vehicle on some form of monitor or wearable goggles. By putting the operator "in" the cockpit of the vehicle, they can focus more on the enjoyment of piloting and less on simply keeping the vehicle up and pointed in the right direction.
What FPVTherapy Hopes To Provide The Special Needs Community
Due to physical and/or mental limitations, "traditional" R.C. can be difficult. FPVTherapy aims to expose the R.C. hobby in a more accessible way by presenting alternate methods of piloting R.C. vehicles.
R.C. requires focus, problem solving skills, dexterity, and cognition. By exposing R.C. as a more accessible hobby, FPVTherapy hopes that the hobby can actually become therapeutic for those that may have defecits in those areas. "Perfect practice makes perfect."
For many people with disabilities, and even those with PTSD, it is difficult to leave their place of security. Sure R.C. can be done indoors, but it is so much more fun outside where you aren't limited (and won't break the lamp or TV).
FPVTherapy's videos not only cover the basics of operation, but also the building and programming of R.C. vehicles. Of course, you don't have to build your model from scratch, but if you would like to learn how it is done, FPVTherapy has you covered.
FPVTherapy hopes to work with manufacturers to design and develop assistive devices for those with special needs. FPV is just one facet of R.C. accessibility. Radio controls have small buttons and knobs and their joysticks can be difficult to hold on to. Plugins, modules, and add-ons could adapt an otherwise barely-usable interface into a specially customized unit tailored to the operators needs.
At the heart of every movement is advocacy. Manufacturers and distributors of R.C. vehicles, parts, and accessories are missing a rather large market by not making their products more accessible to those with disabilities. Even those companies developing, say FPV goggles, are unaware of their benefit to those with special needs. FPVTherapy is working on changing this.
Without Their Help, None Of This Would Be Possible
