Science

Scientists Develop Smart Shoes That Help Blind People Avoid Obstacles. Here’s How They Work

Published on March 21, 2024

A smart sneaker designed to assist blind and visually impaired individuals in avoiding several obstacles has been developed by computer scientists.

The waterproof ultrasonic sensors on the InnoMake shoes are fastened to the toes of each shoe. The sensors alert the wearer to obstructions by making noises or sending vibrations.

When a user runs into an obstruction, the warning system can identify it from a distance greater than that of a cane, which helps them avoid the unpleasant shock of their own cane slamming into them.

Emanuel Zuendel, 37, who was mostly blind at birth, claims that he might have avoided several painful bruising if he had had a shoe similar to this one as a child. Though he can distinguish between light and dark, he has always used a white cane to help him get about securely and avoid obstructions.

While the wearer is walking, the shoes transmit and receive signals using a cutting-edge algorithm. According to Kevin Pajestka of Tec-Innovation, the business that made the shoes, the system detects the person’s distance from an impediment and issues a warning up to 10 feet in advance.

According to Zuendel, the smart shoes come in handy especially when new problems crop up on routes he already knows and can cover more quickly.

WATCH: These vibrating smart shoes help guide visually impaired people by using ultrasound signals to detect obstacles pic.twitter.com/CEfWzz8N7Q
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 6, 2021

“In winter for example, I can better avoid the snow poles that are placed on the streets so the shoes make it easier to walk through areas with a lot of hindrances,” he explains.

A brand-new pair of shoes or modifications to your current pair will cost you 3,800 euros. That amounts to almost $4,640 USD.