This Smart Cane Helps Blind People Navigate
Being able-bodied means taking accessibility for granted. We don’t think about how our world makes it difficult for people with disabilities to navigate with ease, so I love seeing assistive tech.
via Smithsonian
With WeWalk, a new smart cane, Ceylan hopes to help other blind people navigate their environments more easily. The GPS- and voice technology-enabled cane can tell users what’s around them—they’re passing a McDonald’s, they’re at Exit D of the subway station. An ultrasonic sensor detects objects at body or head level and gives a warning vibration.
WeWalk users pair the cane with their smartphones and then use the cane’s touchpad to access features like voice assistant or navigation. Before leaving home, they can plug their destination into Google Maps and get spoken directions as they walk.