not just for the blind

Shoes / Visual Impairment

The concept is intended to aid blind and visually impaired people in their independence—in particular, with regard to orientation. At the same time, the product does not identify the owner as 'disabled', rather it is designed to be a desirable object. It is characterized by a ‘tactile aesthetic.’ Using different signals of stimulation current, the shoe provides three modes: to alert the wearer to obstacles, to show them the way using GPS, and to provide various ‘relaxation programmes.’ As the shoe has a special sole, the user can feel the ground more easily. A self-teaching system ‘remembers’ and alerts the user to complex obstacles such as doorways.