Smart cane, powered by AI, navigates for the visually impaired
[July 1, 2021: Josh Shavit]
The life of the visually impaired has been improved greatly with the use of the WeWalk smart cane.
The device is the brain-child of Kursat Ceylan, a Turkish inventor who was born blind and had an accident three years ago that left him scarred as he struggled to navigate while pulling luggage and checking GPS directions through his smartphone.
WeWalk, a start-up with offices in London and Istanbul, developed the WeWalk cane through R&D collaborations with Microsoft and Imperial College London along with work with leading blind institutions such as the RNIB and Light House.
The smart cane can warn the user of obstacles, provide navigation assistance and information on public transportation. WeWALK also acts as a new handle when attached to any long cane and was designed to feel natural, allowing for normal cane usage.
When walking, WeWALK vibrates to inform you of low-hanging obstacles that the bottom of a cane may typically miss, such as a sign or tree branch. Additionally, pair your cane to the WeWALK app on your iOS or Android device via Bluetooth to make use of WeWALK’s smart features.
Users can find their location using audio mapping apps, check bus and train transportation, and, if the cane is out of reach, find it by using a phone.
The WeWalk cane was developed from R&D collaborations with Microsoft and Imperial College London along with work with leading blind institutions such as the RNIB and Light House.
“Indeed, it is this culture of achieving together that defines us at WeWALK and drives us to solve the toughest challenges within the visually impaired community and beyond.
We are now well on the way to making WeWALK a global movement and a personal hub for each of our visually impaired users. Our ultimate vision is a platform that unites our community, improving societal integration through mobility, and allowing everyone, regardless of their ability, to walk together,” according to the company website.
“We are now well on the way to making WeWALK a global movement and a personal hub for each of our visually impaired users. Our ultimate vision is a platform that unites our community, improving societal integration through mobility, and allowing everyone, regardless of their ability, to walk together.”
Like these kind of feel good stories? Get the Brighter Side of News' newsletter.
Comments