Text: At the 2025 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2025), the startup WeWalk launched its latest product - the Smart Cane 2. This smart cane combines a traditional white cane for the visually impaired with the advanced ChatGPT voice assistant, aiming to provide a safer and more convenient travel experience for individuals with visual impairments.
WeWalk's co-founder, Kursat Ceylan, is himself visually impaired and has been blind since childhood. Ceylan stated that the original intention behind the design of the Smart Cane 2 is to enhance the mobility safety and convenience for visually impaired individuals. This cane not only features directional navigation and obstacle detection but also seamlessly integrates with the ChatGPT voice assistant, allowing users to easily access information about their surroundings while traveling.
Compared to the previous generation, the Smart Cane 2 has a slimmer grip that feels more comfortable, and its weight is comparable to that of traditional white canes. This new cane is also equipped with tactile buttons, eliminating the complex touchpad from the previous model, making it more user-friendly. Additionally, the product is designed to withstand various weather conditions, featuring a rain-resistant capability to ensure a good user experience in different environments.
In addition to basic navigation and obstacle detection, the Smart Cane 2 is equipped with built-in speakers and a microphone, along with motion sensors to provide a more precise navigation experience. Ceylan pointed out that users can keep their smartphones in their pockets without needing to hold them, obtaining all the information they need for walking through the Smart Cane 2, which greatly frees up their hands and makes traveling more relaxed and comfortable.
Currently, the Smart Cane 2 is available for pre-order, with the first batch expected to ship by the end of this month. Consumers can choose between two purchasing options: $850 (approximately 6240 RMB) plus a monthly subscription fee of $4.99 (approximately 36.6 RMB) for the voice assistant, or a full payment of $1150 (approximately 8442 RMB) without any additional subscription.
The launch of the WeWalk Smart Cane 2 marks a further extension of technology into the field of assistance for the disabled, providing more options and convenience for the visually impaired in their travels, and we look forward to the positive impact this product will bring.
