A blind engineer has built a SMART cane that has Google Maps, Bluetooth, and a sensory device

A blind engineer has built a SMART cane that has Google Maps, Bluetooth, and a sensory device

In today’s age of advance technology, a lot of devices, gadgets, and programs are built to make our lives easier and more convenient. While the more recent innovations were designed for entertainment, some companies are taking technology to the next level by incorporating a high level of help and hopefully, to make a difference to the lives of people who need it the most.

The WeWALK smart cane was born from a visually impaired engineer named Kursat Ceylan. He is also the CEO and co-founder of a non-profit called the Young Guru Academy (YGA), the one responsible for making WeWALK come to life. As someone who faces the daily challenges of being blind, Kursat Ceylan knew the limitations of the current technology that people like him have to make do of. Knowing this, he created the WeWALK in hopes of changing the lives of the blind.

This innovative cane includes a built-in speakers, voice assistance, Google Maps, a Bluetooth system that makes syncing to other devices possible, and high-end sensors that alerts the user through vibrations when above chest level obstacles are within proximity—something a regular cane cannot provide.

“In these days we are talking about flying cars, but these people have been using just a plain stick,” he explained to CNN. “As a blind person, when I am at the Metro station I don’t know which is my exit… I don’t know which bus is approaching… which stores are around me. That kind of information can be provided with the WeWalk.”

One of Kursat Ceylan’s goal in making the WeWALK is to make the social participation of people like him full, and easier. To him, the WeWALK was made to “support the visually impaired in their full participation into social life.” This device is not completely new, but the fact that he was able to utlize and incorporate existing technologies such as voice assistance, Google Maps, and Bluetooth syncronization, makes it a completely new idea.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated number of about 36 million are blind. Just imagine the possible change and impact of the WeWALK in these people’s lives once they get their hands on this groundbreaking device!

This article was originally published on My Positive Outlooks on 16/9/19.