A modern solution for the visually impaired, the WeWalk cane puts technology within reach. Although several tech companies strive to enhance accessibility for those who are blind or visually impaired, traditional canes have not seen many improvements.
WeWalk, a company based in London, embraces a conventional design for the white cane. Apart from its larger handle, the design is largely comparable to a typical folding cane.
Currently, the company provides two models: the Smartcane 2 priced at $850 and the Smartcane+ 2, which costs $1,150. The key difference lies in the Smartcane+ 2’s voice-controlled assistant, a highly beneficial resource for individuals with visual impairments who are frequently on the move. Besides identifying obstacles at ground level, this advanced system can also detect potential hazards above.
The cane wirelessly connects to both iPhone and Android smartphones, enabling users to receive walking directions directly through an onboard speaker. Additionally, the handle buttons allow users to interact with their phones, providing a tactile experience that standard smartphones often lack.
Nearby at the CES show floor, Glidance, a newer company based in Washington state, is making waves with its product called Glide. This innovation is described as an “autonomous, self-guided mobility aid,” essentially a robotic solution. Unlike the standard cane, Glide boasts a handle that connects to a wheeled platform.
The system, priced at $1,500 ($1,799 with an annual subscription), is currently in a soft launch stage following an initial preorder. Glide is equipped with stereo-depth cameras and employs a more technologically advanced method. In addition to bypassing obstacles, it provides alerts when approaching doors, elevators, stairs, or curbs and automatically locks when users reach an intersection to prevent accidents with oncoming traffic.
The company anticipates that a market-ready product will be available in approximately a year. To date, Glidance has successfully raised a $1.5 million pre-seed investment and is in the process of securing a $5 million seed round.
