Jan. 7, 2025 /Mpelembe Media/ — A new AI-powered smart cane, which incorporates TDK’s sensor technology to improve navigation and obstacle avoidance for visually impaired users. The cane features several sensors and offers intelligent voice assistance.
The WeWALK Smart Cane 2 aims to improve the lives of visually impaired users by enhancing their mobility and accessibility. The cane uses a variety of technologies and sensors to help users navigate their environments more easily and safely.
Here’s how the WeWALK Smart Cane 2 improves visually impaired users’ lives:
Enhanced Navigation: The cane uses IMU motion sensors to provide accurate navigation for users, both indoors and outdoors. These sensors include a 9-axis system that incorporates a 3-axis gyroscope and a 3-axis accelerometer.
Obstacle Avoidance: Ultrasonic time-of-flight sensors provide real-time detection of obstacles and enable the user to avoid them.
Intelligent Assistance: The cane features a microphone that acts as an intelligent voice assistant, offering guidance and information to the user as they navigate. The SmartSound technology also allows users to explore their environment through sound.
User-Centric Design: The WeWALK Smart Cane 2 was designed incorporating the lived experiences of visually impaired individuals, ensuring the technology meets the needs of its users.
The WeWALK Smart Cane 2 combines advanced sensor technology and AI to create an innovative solution that empowers visually impaired people with a more intuitive and safer navigation experience. The cane is a product of WeWALK, a UK-based start-up, which uses TDK MEMS sensors in the device.
The WeWALK Smart Cane 2 contains several sensors that contribute to its functionality. These include:
IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) motion sensors which enable highly accurate navigation. The IMU motion sensors use a 9-axis system that includes a 3-axis gyroscope and 3-axis accelerometer.
Ultrasonic time-of-flight sensors that enable real-time presence detection and obstacle avoidance.
Microphones which function as an intelligent voice assistant.
These sensors are part of the MEMS (micro-electrical mechanical systems) category. The sensors combine with AI to give the user an enhanced navigation experience.
The WeWALK Smart Cane 2 is made by WeWALK, a UK-based start-up company that aims to enhance the mobility of visually impaired people.
The cane’s technology is powered by TDK MEMS sensors, and TDK is presenting the WeWALK Smart Cane 2 at the CES 2023. TDK is a corporation based in Tokyo that focuses on materials science. TDK welcomes applications from many fields including automotive, industrial and health, and its products include sensors, power supplies, and energy devices. TDK’s MEMS sensors and solutions enable in-depth navigation in the WeWALK Smart Cane 2.
InvenSense, a TDK group company, is also involved in the production of the cane. InvenSense is a provider of sensor solutions and targets the consumer electronics and industrial markets.
InvenSense is headquartered in San Jose, California. InvenSense is a TDK group company that provides sensor solutions, and it has offices worldwide. The company’s products target the consumer electronics and industrial markets. InvenSense is involved in the production of the WeWALK Smart Cane 2.
For additional information about WeWALK and TDK products within the WeWALK Smart Cane 2, please visit invensense.tdk.com/wewalk. This press release is available here