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A white stick for the 21st century. While many technology companies have increasingly worked to make technology more accessible to the blind and visually impaired, canes have not benefited much from these advances.
Born in London WeWalk takes a more traditional approach to the white stick. Aside from the bulkier handle, there isn’t much that visually differentiates the company’s product from a standard folding walking stick.
The company currently offers two models: the $850 Smartcane 2 and the $1,150 Smartcane+ 2. The primary difference between the tiers is the inclusion of a voice-controlled assistant — a seemingly invaluable tool for the visually impaired on the go. In addition to detecting obstacles at ground level, the system is capable of detecting potential obstacles overhead.
The system connects wirelessly to an iPhone/Android smartphone, allowing users to receive walking instructions directly from the cane via a built-in speaker. The buttons on the handle can also be used to connect directly to the phone, bringing a tactile experience that smartphones lack.
Parked next to the door on the CES show floor, Washington State Skating is a much newer participant on the scene. The startup describes its product, Glide, as an “autonomous, self-guided mobility aid,” or, simply put, a robot. Instead of a standardized shape, the Glide has a handle attached to a wheeled stand.
The $1,500 system ($1,799 with an annual subscription) is currently in soft launch mode, following an initial pre-order. The system has a pair of stereo depth cameras and has a more technically sophisticated approach. In addition to avoiding obstacles, it will alert the user when they approach a door, elevator, stairs or curb and temporarily lock when they reach an intersection to avoid oncoming traffic.
The company says that the delivery of the product is about a year. Glidance raised $1.5 million pre-seed and is currently in the process of closing $5 million.
