While much of the tech industry has focused on enhancing accessibility for the blind and visually impaired, the traditional white cane has remained largely unchanged. However, a new wave of startups is aiming to modernize this vital tool with cutting-edge features designed to assist users more effectively in everyday life.
London-born WeWalk has introduced an updated version of the classic cane with advanced technology. The company offers two versions: the $850 Smartcane 2 and the $1,150 Smartcane+ 2. The main difference between the two lies in the Smartcane+ 2’s integration of a voice-controlled assistant. This feature allows users to receive walking directions through an onboard speaker and gives the cane the ability to detect both ground-level and overhead obstacles. Additionally, the cane wirelessly connects to smartphones, enabling users to interact with their device through tactile buttons on the handle, a helpful feature for those who find smartphones challenging to use without touch.
Meanwhile, Washington-based startup Glidance is pushing the envelope further with Glide, a self-guided mobility aid designed with a futuristic, autonomous approach. The system, which costs $1,500 ($1,799 with an annual subscription), features a handle mounted on a wheeled base. Glide takes a more sophisticated approach, equipped with stereo-depth cameras that detect obstacles and alert users to approaching doors, elevators, stairs, and curbs. The system also includes a safety feature that locks the device when users reach intersections to prevent them from stepping into traffic. Currently in soft launch following an initial preorder, Glidance plans to ship the product within a year. The company has raised $1.5 million in pre-seed funding and is in the process of closing a $5 million seed round.
Both of these startups showcase how innovation is slowly transforming the way visually impaired individuals navigate the world, combining traditional tools with new technology to make mobility safer and easier.
Featured image courtesy of DonanimHaber
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