SmartCane - Electronic Travel Aid For People with Visual Impairment

The Product

A person with blindness can easily detect obstacles on the ground, surface textures, pot holes etc. while travelling with a standard white cane. However, the white cane cannot detect overhanging or protruding objects like tree branches, sign boards, or open glass windows. Further, at times using a white cane poses potential hazards such as scratching a parked vehicle, bumping into another person etc. 

A SmartCane solves the above challenges and empowers persons with visual impairments through independent and safe mobility. It is an electronic travel aid that fits on to the handle of the regular white cane which can only detect obstacles up to knee height, SmartCane enhances its functionality by detecting obstacles from knee to head height.  It detects obstacles using ultrasonic waves and the presence of obstacles is conveyed to users through distinct vibratory patterns. It is powered using an inbuilt rechargeable battery with a 10 hour back up. 

The device was cocreated with feedback and inputs from the user community and validated by 300+ persons with visual Impairment across India. Currently, the device is being used by nearly 10,000 users in India.

How SmartCane works

It fits on the top fold of the white cane.

Enhances the white cane's capability by detecting objects from knee to head height in front of a person

Uses ultrasonic ranging to detect obstacles, and conveys distance information to the end users through distinct vibratory patterns

Helps users avoid collisions with overhanging and protruding objects such as tree branches, signboards, underside of parked vehicles, and open glass windows, thereby enabling them to navigate in different social settings with safety and confidence.

Informs about the presence of objects before actually touching the object with the cane and thus helps in preventing unwanted contact.

Features

• Adjustable Detection Range: 3m outdoor and 1.8m indoor
• Four intuitive vibratory patterns to convey obstacle distance information
• Ergonomic grip for comfortable holding and cane tapping
• Adjustable sensor mechanism for use by persons of different heights
• Sound indicators to convey battery level, charging status, sensor and vibrator failure
• In built rechargeable battery 10 hour battery back up and easy charging
• Can be easily attached/ detached from a standard white cane.

Product Specifications:

Product description: SmartCane Electronic Travel Aid For People with Visual Impairment

Package contains: SmartCane device mounted on Indian White Cane, charger, Getting Started Guide (English Braille) and CD with Manual in Audio Daisy Format

Dimensions (cms): 38 x 23 x 8

Weight: 1000g

Why we like it

SmartCane is an innovative product that's revolutionising mobility for visually impaired people and making the world more accessible to them with the help of technology. Today around 70,000 users are benefitting from the SmartCane technology. It overcomes common problems faced by white cane users like colliding with above chest obstacles and navigating busy or narrow spaces like corridors and staircases. We love that it makes mobility easy and independent for the blind, enabling them to enjoy safe and hassle-free travel. Its user-centric design makes it intuitive to use and easy to adapt to by people of all ages.