The white cane for the twenty first century. Whereas many tech firms have more and more labored to make know-how extra accessible for the blind and visually impaired, canes haven’t benefited a lot from these advances.
London-born WeWalk takes a extra conventional method to the white cane. Past the bulkier deal with, not a lot units the corporate’s product aside visually from a normal folding cane.
The corporate at present presents two fashions: the $850 Smartcane 2 and $1,150 Smartcane+ 2. The first distinction between the tiers is the latter’s inclusion of a voice-controlled assistant — a seemingly invaluable instrument for a visually impaired particular person on-the-go. Along with detecting ground-level obstacles, the system is able to recognizing potential obstacles overhead.
The system connects wirelessly to an iPhone/Android smartphone, permitting customers to get strolling instructions instantly from the cane by way of an onboard speaker. The buttons on the deal with can be used to interface instantly with the cellphone, bringing a tactile expertise smartphones lack.
Parked subsequent door on the CES present flooring, Washington state-based Glidance is a a lot newer entrant on the scene. The startup describes its product, Glide, as an “autonomous, self-guided mobility assist,” or, merely, a robotic. Fairly than the extra standardized type issue, Glide includes a deal with hooked up to a wheeled base.
The $1,500 system ($1,799 with an annual subscription) is at present in delicate launch mode, following an preliminary preorder. The system includes a pair of stereo-depth cameras and takes a extra technically subtle method. Along with avoiding obstacles, it should alert the person once they method a door, elevator, stair, or curb, and briefly lock once they attain an intersection to keep away from oncoming visitors.
The corporate says a delivery product is round a yr out. Glidance has raised a $1.5 million pre-seed and is at present within the means of closing a $5 million seed.
