New wearable with haptic GPS for the blind is now available

This assistive device will allow the visually impaired to become more independent than ever before.

An early prototype of the Wayband first appeared at the 2017 New York Marathon, where Simon Wheatcroft put the product to the test and became the first blind runner to run a portion of the course without assistance.

Developed by WearWorks, the Wayband has the potential to empower the visually impaired to live a life less constrained by their disability. With real-time feedback on their surroundings, they can more easily explore new areas of their city and break up routines.

How does the Wayband work?

Within the Wayband, a magnetometer and compass sensors work together to provide feedback as to the wearer’s position and direction, (they measure the earth’s magnetic forces and calculate ultra-low frequency signals stemming from the North and South Poles).

Pair that with GPS technology and location data from OpenStreetMap, and you have a responsive navigation device. It all comes together with the use of haptic technology.

The greater the misstep, the stronger the vibration. This creates a “virtual corridor” that helps the wearer stay aligned with their path.

When someone wearing the Wayband is going the right way, they won’t feel any sensations. However, if they start to veer off course, a small vibration helps them get back on track.

What was the inspiration behind the Wayband?

The idea for a haptic GPS for the blind was born in 2015 after founders Keith Kirkland and Kevin Yoo were inspired by the experiences of their blind friend — Marcus Engle, who now serves as an advisor for the business. But obtaining a steady stream of funding quickly proved to be a hurdle.

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In 2017, the company caught its first big break by landing a $250,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. Kirkland and Yoo used the money to hire a team and develop an initial prototype.

But after the grant ran out, the company endured an 18-month funding drought which forced the founders to find side jobs just to make ends meet. For Kirkland and Yoo, the challenges seemed so insurmountable, they wondered if it was time to quit.

The duo started building relationships with organizations for the visually impaired and collaborated with others in the haptics world to discover new possibilities. And eventually, they won over a significant investor, which brought an entire network of potential investors along with them.

That helped the company raise half a million dollars — about half of the money needed to cover their first 5,000 units — all in the midst of a global pandemic. While the change in fortune is certainly good news for WearWorks, it’s even more monumental for the blind community which will now have access to this life-changing technology.