The white cane of the 21st century. Many tech companies have stepped up efforts to make technology more accessible to the visually impaired, but canes have not benefited much from these advances.
London-born WeWalk takes a more traditional approach to white canes. Other than the bulkier handle, the company's product doesn't look much different than a standard folding cane.
The company currently offers two models: the $850 Smartcane 2 and the $1,150 Smartcane+ 2. The main difference between each layer is that the latter includes a voice-controlled assistant. This is a seemingly invaluable tool for visually impaired people on the go. The system not only detects obstacles on the ground, but can also detect potential obstacles overhead.
The system connects wirelessly to iPhone/Android smartphones and allows users to receive walking direction directly from the cane via the built-in speaker. You can also connect directly to your phone using the buttons on the steering wheel, giving you a tactile experience unlike any smartphone.
Image credit: Brian Heater
Parked next to the CES exhibit hall is Washington state-based Glidance, a fairly new entrant to the scene. The startup describes its product, Glide, as an “autonomous, self-guided mobility aid,” or simply put, a robot. Rather than a more standardized form factor, the Glide features a handle attached to a wheeled base.
The $1,500 system ($1,799 with annual subscription) is currently in soft launch mode following initial pre-orders. This system features two stereo depth cameras and takes a more technically sophisticated approach. In addition to avoiding obstacles, it alerts users when they approach doors, elevators, stairs, and curbs, and temporarily locks when they reach intersections to avoid oncoming traffic.
The company says it will take about a year to ship the product. Glidance has raised $1.5 million in pre-seed and is currently in the process of closing a $5 million seed.