Smart Cane 2.0: A Navigation Companion for the Blind and Visually Impaired
The WeWalk Smart Cane 2.0 is a mobility aid that harnesses cutting-edge technology such as advanced optical detection and AI-driven navigation to serve as a companion for its users.
In this second of a two-part series, Machine Design spoke with Song Li, product marketing director at InvenSense, a TDK Company, about the collaboration between the two companies. We learned that the cane uses four sensors that collectively enhance user experience and safety. Li explained the significance of each:
Ultrasonic time-of-flight sensor. Detects overhead obstacles such as tree branches and signs. It offers low power consumption while providing a detection range of 30 cm to 9 m, allowing users to set warning distances based on their pace.
Inertial measurement unit (IMU). Made up of a three-axis accelerometer and a three-axis gyroscope, the IMU gives insight to the user’s speed, direction and orientation.
MEMS microphone. This digital microphone supports SPI or I2S interfaces and is designed for clear voice command recognition in noisy environments. It is highly sensitive with low power consumption.
Pressure sensor. Measures elevation to identify the user’s location within multi-level structures, improving navigation in varied environments.
Sensor Communication and Interaction
Li says that all sensors communicate via serial interfaces (I3C, I2C or SPI), ensuring efficient data transmission, according to the specific needs of the device. The combination of the sensors allows for coordinated functionality, Li explained, which enables the smart cane to respond effectively to real-time conditions.
Other Components and the Future 3.0 Version
In addition to the sensors, other components from TDK include a multilayer chip antenna that facilitates signal transmission and reception at required frequencies; metal inductors, which ensure power management within the system; and multilayer ferrite inductors to assist in circuit decoupling for overall performance.
Looking ahead, Li confirmed the anticipated development of a Smart Cane 3.0, which will incorporate an upgraded IMU design for even more improved local intelligence and further reduced power consumption, which aims to enable isolated functionality even without a smartphone connection. He added that future iterations might leverage machine learning, offloading processing tasks from the main system to the IMU, thereby improving the cane’s efficiency and intelligence.
