Computer scientists in Austria have developed a groundbreaking shoe called InnoMake, designed to help blind individuals avoid obstacles while walking. This innovative footwear is the result of a collaboration between the Austrian company Tec-Innovation and Graz University of Technology, with a price tag of over $3,000.
InnoMake is equipped with waterproof ultrasonic sensors located on the toe of each shoe, allowing them to detect obstacles up to 13 feet away. As the wearer approaches an object, they receive alerts through vibrations and sounds, similar to the parking sensors found in cars.
Markus Raffer, a visually impaired co-founder of Tec-Innovation, praised the effectiveness of the shoes, stating, “This works very well and is already a great help to me personally.”
Each shoe comes with its own dedicated sensor, and they are available as either complete shoes or retrofit options. The sensors can even distinguish the nature of objects, identifying whether they are walls, cars, or stairs, and providing tailored alerts accordingly.
Tec-Innovation plans to further develop InnoMake by integrating camera-based recognition and machine learning for improved navigation assistance. Future versions may include a “street view navigation map” to support other users.
Friedrich Fraundorfer from TU Graz noted, “They use camera images from the foot perspective to identify areas free of obstacles, ensuring a safe walking path, and they can recognize and differentiate objects.”
InnoMake has the potential to significantly enhance the lives of visually impaired individuals, enabling them to navigate their environments with greater independence and safety.