An AI-powered ‘smart cane’ that provides haptic and audio feedback for blind people has gone on show at an inclusive design conference in Glasgow.
The WeWALK Smart Cane, which enables people with sight loss to navigate their environment more easily thanks to in-built sensors and route information, is among cutting-edge tech breakthroughs on show at RNIB Scotland’s Inclusive Design for Sustainability conference.
The event, which took place at Glasgow Science Centre on Monday and Tuesday, also featured the RoboGuide AI-enabled dog developed by University of Glasgow scientists to help blind and partially sighted people navigate indoor spaces.
The WeWALK cane, which was recognised by the iF International Forum Design at this year’s product design awards, is the same size and weight as a traditional white cane, but uses enhanced technology and sensors to detect obstacles, provide navigation, and integrate with public transport to enable people with sight loss to get around quickly and safely, and live much more independently.
It also includes an AI-powered voice assistant that can give directions or travel tips, linking to a smartphone via Bluetooth, provides haptic and audio feedback and is waterproof.
Keynote speakers include Dr Wanda Diaz-Merced, a blind astronomer who has pioneered the practice of converting space data into sound, allowing her to ‘hear’ celestial objects.
Dr Walton Aubrey Webson, the first visually impaired person to serve as a UN Ambassador, gave the opening speech.
RNIB Scotland is running the conference as part of its focus on ensuring that everyone with sight loss has access to the technology to live the life they want to lead.
Around 183,000 people in Scotland currently live with a significant degree of sight loss, and more than two million across the UK. An ageing population, and rising rates of sight-threatening health conditions such as diabetes, means the number of people affected could double in as little as 20 years.
James Adams, director of RNIB Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring together experts from such a wide range of fields to inform and inspire people about the possibilities of technology for transforming the lives of people with sight loss.
“We have never been at a more exciting point for changing the way that blind and partially sighted people can live, work and have fun.”
He added: “New developments that can help increase accessibility and tackle exclusion are more important than ever, as the number of people with sight loss is set to rapidly increase.”
