Anirudh Sharma's 'Le Chal' shoes have been in development since 2011, but they are now really starting to take shape as wearable technology for people with vision impairments.
The shoes can be connected to a smartphone and a user is able to make voice commands to the app, specifying a destination. From there, the app plots a user's current location with GPS and either the left or right shoe will vibrate, indicating that the wearer should turn in that direction. As a walker gets closer to their destination, the vibrations also become more powerful.
The shoes also serve as pedometers and indicate how many calories have been burned during a walk. The shoes range from $40-$50 for the vision impaired and $100 for those without visual impairments.
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The Le Chal Shoes Use GPS & Vibrations to Guide the Impaired
Trend Themes
1. Wearable Technology for Visually Impaired - Developing wearable technology such as shoes with GPS and vibrations to aid the visually impaired in navigating their surroundings.
2. Voice-activated Navigation - Incorporating voice commands into navigation apps to improve user experience and accessibility for individuals with vision impairments.
3. Pedometers and Health Tracking in Footwear - Integrating pedometer and health tracking features into footwear to provide valuable information and insights to the wearer.
Industry Implications
1. Assistive Technology - Creating innovative solutions like GPS-guided shoes to support individuals with disabilities and enhance their independence.
2. Wearable Tech - Focusing on the development of wearable technology that goes beyond traditional functions, such as aiding visually impaired individuals in navigating their surroundings.
3. Fitness and Wellness - Introducing health tracking features in footwear to revolutionize the fitness and wellness industry and provide personalized insights to users.