The white cane that many blind and low vision people rely on for navigating the world hasn’t been upgraded in a century, but researchers are reporting progress on a “robo-cane” they hope will modernize the assistive device.
What is included with the robo-cane?
The prototype cane is equipped with a colour 3D camera, sensors, an “on-board” computer and a motorized roller tip designed to guide the user to a desired location — and avoid any obstacles along the way.
How is this version of the robo-cane improved from previous versions?
There are still issues to hammer out before the robotic cane is ready for the real world, according to lead researcher Cang Ye, a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Engineering, in Richmond.