Here’s What You Need To Know If You See Someone Wearing Shoes
Austrian computer scientists have developed InnoMake, a groundbreaking shoe designed to help blind individuals avoid obstacles while walking. Created in collaboration with Tec-Innovation and Graz University of Technology, these shoes cost over $3,000.
Each shoe features a waterproof ultrasonic sensor on the toe that detects obstacles up to 13 feet away, providing vibrations and sounds as alerts. Markus Raffer, a visually impaired co-founder of Tec-Innovation, praised its effectiveness, noting it has greatly assisted him.
The sensors, available in complete shoes or as retrofits, can differentiate between types of objects, such as walls or cars. Tec-Innovation plans to enhance InnoMake with camera-based recognition and machine learning for improved navigation. Future versions may include a “street view navigation map” for additional guidance.
Friedrich Fraundorfer from TU Graz explained that the shoes use camera images to identify safe walking areas and recognize objects. InnoMake has the potential to significantly improve the independence and safety of visually impaired individuals.
