# Facial Recognition Walking Canes The XploR Cane Helps the Blind Track Down Family and Friends By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2015-05-12 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xplor References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/xplor-cane-blind-facial-recognition/37423/) & [bcu.ac.uk](http://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/a-pioneering-facial-recognition-cane-for-the-blind) Researchers at Birmingham City University have created a special mobility cane dubbed the XploR cane, which uses high-tech onboard electronics to help blind people locate people that they know. The system uses a database of facial photographs of people known to the user. These photos are stored on an internal SD card, and the facial shots and a special facial recognition system are used to identify known faces from a distance of up to 10 meters. When a familiar person is spotted, the cane alerts its user by vibrating. It then uses its built-in GPS navigation system to guide the user to that person. While there have previously been canes that use ultrasound and lasers, the inclusion of facial recognition technology adds a whole new layer of functionality to these canes. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.5/10 - Popularity: 65% | Activity: 61% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Facial Recognition Mobility Devices:** Companies can explore the integration of facial recognition technology in other mobility devices and innovate the assistive technology industry. - **Smart Navigation for the Visually Impaired:** Developing navigation systems with innovative features for the visually impaired can lead to new opportunities for accessibility in other industries. - **Personalized Assistive Technology:** Customizing assistive technology based on users' individual needs and preferences can bring about personalized and efficient solutions to improve users' quality of life. ### Who This Affects Most - **Assistive Technology:** Incorporating new and emerging technologies into assistive devices is critical in evolving to meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. - **Healthcare:** The use of innovative mobility and navigation devices for the visually impaired can be a game-changer in improving accessibility and care for disabled patients. - **Law Enforcement and Security:** Facial recognition technology can have various applications in the law enforcement industry, such as identifying suspects or locating missing persons. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Connected Walking Canes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/can-go.md) - [Connected Sensor-Packed Canes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caregiver-smart-cane.md) - [Smart Walking Canes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/can-go-smart-came.md) - [AI-Powered Mobility Aids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/navicane.md) - [Connected Walking Support Canes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stride-senze.md) - [Automated Adjustment Walking Sticks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/halo-smart-cane.md) - [Mobility-Boosting Cane Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nextstride.md) - [Robotic Visual Impairment Guides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/handheld-guidance-device.md) - [AI-Powered Visual Co-Pilots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biped.md)