Computer scientists from Austria have made a groundbreaking discovery that has the potential to enhance the lives of blind individuals around the world. They have created an innovative shoe called InnoMake, which serves as a navigational aid to help the visually impaired avoid obstacles while walking.
Developed by Tec-Innovation in collaboration with Graz University of Technology, InnoMake is equipped with a state-of-the-art waterproof ultrasonic sensor on each toe. This incredible technology allows the shoes to detect obstacles up to 13 feet away. When an obstacle is detected, the wearer is immediately alerted through vibrations and sounds, similar to the parking sensors found in vehicles.
Markus Raffer, a visually impaired co-founder of Tec-Innovation, has already experienced the benefits of InnoMake firsthand and praises its effectiveness. He says, “This works very well and is already a great help to me personally.” In addition to detecting obstacles, InnoMake also has the ability to identify the nature of objects, such as walls, cars, or stairs, and provide customized alerts accordingly. These cutting-edge sensors can be obtained as a complete shoe or as a retrofit option for existing footwear.
But the innovation doesn’t stop there. The creators of InnoMake have ambitious plans to further enhance the design by incorporating camera-based recognition and machine learning. This advancement will provide even more precise navigation assistance for users. In the near future, InnoMake might offer a “street view navigation map” to aid other blind individuals in navigating their surroundings.
Friedrich Fraundorfer, a researcher at TU Graz, explains, “They use camera images from the foot perspective to determine an area that is free of obstacles and thus safe to walk on, and they can recognize and distinguish objects.” With its advanced features and limitless potential for further development, InnoMake has the ability to transform the lives of visually impaired individuals, offering them increased confidence, independence, and safety while navigating the world around them.
If you or a loved one is blind or visually impaired, the InnoMake shoe could be a life-changing technology to consider. With its state-of-the-art sensory system and ongoing research for further improvements, InnoMake is revolutionizing the way the blind navigate their surroundings. Embrace the future of navigation technology with InnoMake and step into a world of greater independence and freedom.