Blind Engineer Invents A ‘Smart Cane’ That Uses Google Maps To Help Blind People Navigate
Today, many products have been reinvented through technology. From smart planters to smart TVs, the power of technology doesn’t surprise us anymore. While many of the newest technological creations are dedicated to entertainment, there are many which contribute to our well being, especially to those who experience a disability of some sort.
More info: Instagram | Facebook | wewalk.io
Recently, a revolutionizing smart cane called WeWalk has been introduced to help blind people navigate their surroundings much more efficiently when they are on their own.
The cane was invented by a visually impaired engineer Kursat Ceylan, who is the CEO and co-founder of Young Guru Academy (YGA), the Turkish non-profit behind WeWALK. Being blind himself, Ceylan knows firsthand what challenges people like him face and decided to put his knowledge into inventing something that could greatly improve people’s life.
“In these days, we are talking about flying cars, but these people have been using just a plain stick. As a blind person, when I am at the Metro station, I don’t know which is my exit… I don’t know which bus is approaching… which stores are around me. That kind of information can be provided with the WeWalk,” he told CNN.
The smart cane assists visually impaired people using smart technology, some of which we use every day.
It’s equipped with built-in speakers, a voice assistant, Google, and sensors that send vibrations to warn about obstacles above chest level.
The smart cane is available on the company’s website and runs for around $500.
Here’s how people reacted
141Kviews
Share on FacebookOMGoodness!!! Just one question... What took us so long??? I LOVE this!
If Google maps is accurate and updated regularly, this is a fantastic idea. Now to make it affordable to the visually impaired.
forget affordable, it should be automatically given/refunded ! (I live in the Netherlands)
Load More Replies...This is SO AWESOME! Google has become so much more accurate these days. Recently, I was curious about how close it pin-pointed where I was so I turned it on to watch. It tracked me exactly as I drove around a Cloverleaf entrance ramp to the interstate. There's not mistaking where I was physically versus electronically. It was nearly exact.
Yes but the difference would be that you wouldn't need a new one every two years and it'll probably last a life time (I'm assuming it comes with software upgrades).
Load More Replies...For visually-impaired users in virtual environments, there is the Canetroller: learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/canetroller-enables-blind-users-to-navigate-vr-environments There is also Cydalion, which does not rely on GPS or maps to help visually-impaired people to navigate unfamiliar environments: learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/2129/a-new-take-on-augmented-reality-cydalion-navigation-app-aids-people-with-low-vision
Uses Google maps? I can't help but be reminded of all the drivers (seeing people!) that blindly trusted Google maps and got lost or ended up in a desert, in a lake etc. with their cars (or bikes, or e-scooter drivers ending up on highways). I hope for the best for the blind and that Google updates their maps for them as often as possible
You've seen those stories because they're unusual and rare, Google maps efficiently gets millions of people to their chosen destination effortlessly most of the time.
Load More Replies...Blind folks trusting Google maps walking maps? I hope this ends up better than I think it will.
My 5 year old son had Cortical Visual Impairment (Phase II) and Intermittent Exotropia. There is much he can see but this is conditional. His brain cannot consistently process his vision in novel and/or complex environments — I have to invest the majority of my time advocating for my son to keep and have his traditional white cane in school not to mention obtain services for him to improve his skills with the tool. This initiative in combing technology with the cane is fantastic!
Let's see if you can take this a step further...what about the Deafblind? This device would be absolutely useless for them. Would a modification of adding a braille display onto the handle be a possibility? My bestfriend is Deafblind and is very independent but still relies on people for getting around and he chafes at that! This modification would be exactly what he needs!
This is cool, but THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT. Visually impaired people can use their smartphone for step-by-step instructions. Some cities even have crosswalks equipped with compatible signals so people know when they should cross. My favorite invention is in development on GOfundME -- it's a safety vest that puts out signals and vibrations intensify the closer an obstacle draws to a person. If a person is walking into an obstacle or something is coming up behind them, the vest will send audio alarms.
Then they need the cane in one hand, the smartphone in the other and I guess that leaves the grocery in the third hand... To me, it seems smarter to have the 2in1cane.
Load More Replies...My mom was blind (she passed in 2000) I think she would have been amazed at what is available now!
Please tell me he patent his idea so no other bastard steals it !!!!!!
Awesome! Took freakin long enough!!! Also, it looks like a old hand held portable vacuum cleaner attached to a stick..
Think about wha the first mobile phone looked like....it only gets better...
Load More Replies...OMGoodness!!! Just one question... What took us so long??? I LOVE this!
If Google maps is accurate and updated regularly, this is a fantastic idea. Now to make it affordable to the visually impaired.
forget affordable, it should be automatically given/refunded ! (I live in the Netherlands)
Load More Replies...This is SO AWESOME! Google has become so much more accurate these days. Recently, I was curious about how close it pin-pointed where I was so I turned it on to watch. It tracked me exactly as I drove around a Cloverleaf entrance ramp to the interstate. There's not mistaking where I was physically versus electronically. It was nearly exact.
Yes but the difference would be that you wouldn't need a new one every two years and it'll probably last a life time (I'm assuming it comes with software upgrades).
Load More Replies...For visually-impaired users in virtual environments, there is the Canetroller: learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/canetroller-enables-blind-users-to-navigate-vr-environments There is also Cydalion, which does not rely on GPS or maps to help visually-impaired people to navigate unfamiliar environments: learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/2129/a-new-take-on-augmented-reality-cydalion-navigation-app-aids-people-with-low-vision
Uses Google maps? I can't help but be reminded of all the drivers (seeing people!) that blindly trusted Google maps and got lost or ended up in a desert, in a lake etc. with their cars (or bikes, or e-scooter drivers ending up on highways). I hope for the best for the blind and that Google updates their maps for them as often as possible
You've seen those stories because they're unusual and rare, Google maps efficiently gets millions of people to their chosen destination effortlessly most of the time.
Load More Replies...Blind folks trusting Google maps walking maps? I hope this ends up better than I think it will.
My 5 year old son had Cortical Visual Impairment (Phase II) and Intermittent Exotropia. There is much he can see but this is conditional. His brain cannot consistently process his vision in novel and/or complex environments — I have to invest the majority of my time advocating for my son to keep and have his traditional white cane in school not to mention obtain services for him to improve his skills with the tool. This initiative in combing technology with the cane is fantastic!
Let's see if you can take this a step further...what about the Deafblind? This device would be absolutely useless for them. Would a modification of adding a braille display onto the handle be a possibility? My bestfriend is Deafblind and is very independent but still relies on people for getting around and he chafes at that! This modification would be exactly what he needs!
This is cool, but THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT. Visually impaired people can use their smartphone for step-by-step instructions. Some cities even have crosswalks equipped with compatible signals so people know when they should cross. My favorite invention is in development on GOfundME -- it's a safety vest that puts out signals and vibrations intensify the closer an obstacle draws to a person. If a person is walking into an obstacle or something is coming up behind them, the vest will send audio alarms.
Then they need the cane in one hand, the smartphone in the other and I guess that leaves the grocery in the third hand... To me, it seems smarter to have the 2in1cane.
Load More Replies...My mom was blind (she passed in 2000) I think she would have been amazed at what is available now!
Please tell me he patent his idea so no other bastard steals it !!!!!!
Awesome! Took freakin long enough!!! Also, it looks like a old hand held portable vacuum cleaner attached to a stick..
Think about wha the first mobile phone looked like....it only gets better...
Load More Replies...
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