White sugarcane for the 21st century. While many technology companies are increasingly working to make technology more accessible to the blind and visually impaired, sugarcane has not benefited much from these advances. London-born WeWalk takes a more traditional approach to white cane. Beyond the larger handle, there isn’t much that visually differentiates the company’s products from standard folding canes. The company currently offers two models: the $850 Smartcane 2 and the $1,150 Smartcane + 2. The main difference between the tiers is the inclusion of a voice-controlled assistant — a seemingly valuable tool for the visually impaired on the go. In addition to detecting obstacles at ground level, the system can find potential obstacles above. The system connects wirelessly to an iPhone / Android smartphone, allowing the user to get directions directly from the cane through the onboard speaker. The button on the handle can also be used to interface directly with the phone, bringing a tactile experience that Smartphones lack. Image Credit: Brian Heater Parked next to the CES show floor, Washington state-based Glidance is a newer entrant on the scene. The startup describes its product, Glide, as an “autonomous, self-guided mobility aid,” or, simply, a robot. Instead of a more standard form factor, the Glide has a handlebar attached to the wheelbase. The $1,500 system ($1,799 with an annual subscription) is currently in soft launch mode, following initial preorders. This system has a pair of depth-stereo cameras and takes a more sophisticated technical approach. In addition to avoiding obstacles, it will alert the user when approaching a door, elevator, stairs, or sidewalk, and temporarily lock it when it reaches an intersection to avoid traffic. The company says it takes about a year to ship products. Glidance has raised $1.5 million in pre-seed and is currently closing a $5 million seed round.
