WEWALK
2021
WeWALK is on a mission to enhance the mobility of visually impaired people with cutting-edge technology driven by their lived and professional experience of visual impairment.
We were honoured to redesign the WEWALK smart cane to a v2 product, improving usability, ergonomy and design language. We got involved with the WeWalk team in co-design workshops with visually impaired participants.Our research included a multi-sensory research approach, helping decisions in haptics, sound spatialisation and ergonomy.
We reworked the placement of sound output, haptics and interface control whilst minimising the overall shape to reduce wrist injury. We defined the aesthetic and finish of the sensor integration. Our priority in the redesign has been to get as close as possible to a traditional white cane in the shape, weight and hand gestures for users. Through user research, we found out that the white cane historical design was so versatile and crucial in access to independence.
WeWALK’s patented technology smart cane improves safety and independence with obstacle detection, accessible multimodal navigation, and public transport integration. WeWALK has already impacted lives in over 59 countries and has been recognised as a TIME Best Invention, Amazon’s Startup of the Year, and an Edison Gold Award.
Product design and creative technology: Salome Bazin
Research assistant: Yildiz Tufan
Hardware engineering: We Walk team
Render: Romain Rosi
Special thanks to Harman, RNIB for sound research and mobility training. WeWalk got awarded by iF Design Award, King’s award for innovation.
