> 1. What are the current challenges that you face while using a white cane and what improvements can be made?

Some challenges: deep snow, and overhanging objects. In Canada, of course, we get a lot of snow and ice. I feel like the cane is not as good as it could be in that sort of environment. Unfortunately, I'm not exactly sure how it could be improved. But as it is, I find I often miss ice when it's hidden under snow, I find large snow banks more challenging to move in/through/around than I'd like them to be, and my tip will sometimes catch on some textures of snow. As for the second problem: I often have to move around a building that has signs and displays mounted on the walls at head height, sticking out from the wall anywhere from 6 inches to a foot. If I'm closer to the wall than I thought I was, the cane will do nothing to detect these. Of course, when I'm expecting them, I put my hand up in front of my face, so I don't run into them. But it does sometimes happen that I'm hurrying along, and I think I'm far enough out from the wall to miss them completely, and I'm really not. It's a nasty surprise.

> 2. How much would you be willing to pay for a white cane?

Depends on the features, durability, etc. Right now a cane lasts me from 1 to 2 years. So if you invented a cane that would last me five years, or even forever, I'd obviously be willing to pay more. The thing that destroys my canes most often is accidents: a door slams on them, someone trips on them, a car runs over the end of them, someone steals them (yes, this has happened, and no, I don't know who steals canes or why), etc. But if an accident doesn't take them early, within a couple years, the reflective paint starts to rub off. And I really don't feel safe using a white cane that isn't properly white, and thus visible to cars.

> Which sense do you use the most

Touch is the most important for the cane itself. But I use all my senses when traveling. But I feel like if I switched to a dog, I wouldn't use touch the same active way I do with a cane. Even with a dog I'd still use all my other senses though.

> 4. Are there certain situations where you feel like using the white cane isn't helpful?

Running or jogging. Working out with a cane is kind of horrible! I either work out in the gym, or go with a friend. I don't feel like I could use the cane fast enough or well enough to go running or jogging on the sidewalk or trail with it.

> 5. What situations give you the most anxiety when using the white cane?

Crowded areas. On one hand, I don't want to be constantly knocking people with my cane. On the other hand, I don't want to just walk into them either. On the third hand, all that focus I'm spending not knocking people or running into people takes away the attention I need to devote to my travel, and after avoiding all the people, I can sometimes end up vaguely lost and going the wrong way.

I lost most of my sight last year and have only been using a cane since Dec. 2016, but will give you my input.
1. Snow and ice are a pain. But I'm not sure what can be done about it. Most others I have talked to about going out in the snow and ice say they just stay home. I would love to have a built in shock absorber so that when I hit a obstacle (tree root, uneven sidewalk), I don't receive the shock to my wrist. Also tips that last longer the 6 months. (I walk a lot.)
2. $50 to $70 if it is durable.
3. Touching and hearing and smell. In that order.
4. I haven't experienced any yet. I find that just using my cane helps by notifying those around me that I have a vision impairment.
5. Crowds mainly.

1. Exchange'ble grips would be nice. Chris Park recently came out with a new set of NFB canes that have a nice form factor and rubber joint protectors, but the grip is over an inch shorter than previous models which sucks for those of us with large hands. Would love to be able to easily swap or customize grips for comfort and easier manipulation.

2. No more than $70.

3. Both senses are important when using a cane. Hearing the tip is needed for spatial perception and echolocation, and of course feeling the ground surface through the cane is paramount. I don't use canes or tips that sacrifice one over the other, and always look for canes that are equal with tip loudness and sensitiity.

4. Crowded situations can make cane use difficult, but it is necessary to be able to quickly and visually show others around you that you are blind. Folding canes are my preference when going out and about, as stowing it is much easier than a rigid cane on public transport or in a car, along with ease of storage when sitting or at an event.

5. No real anxiety with my cane use. Worrying about it breaking when out and about is always a concern, as sometimes the material flexes quite a bit when getting the cane stuck in an obstacle while walking at speed. I've had a car run over my cane when it moved while my cane was in the wheelwell; it shattered and I suddenly had no safe way to navigate around. Material strength is key while still making the cane light for ease of use.

Foldable canes have joins that can become very stiff and hard to pull apart.

Ambutech canes have $1 where the tube is narrowed to slot inside the next section. When they get dirty there can be a lot of stiction.

Newer Ambutech canes have a $1 where there are grooves on the join surface, possibly to reduce the contact area. This design suffers less from stiction, probably because there is less surface / contact area and the conical profile means the surfaces don't slide over each other as they are pulled apart. The shorter joints also need less extension of the elastic cord before you can fold. The joints when closed are still strong and don't open up in use.

However a cane that is around a year old has become harder to fold, possibly because the plating at a joint has become corroded or worn .

The application of petroleum jelly to the joints helps but this can collect dirt and needs regular re-application.

Stiff joints in the cane makes folding difficult when wearing gloves, or you have greasy hands, or any condition that makes the hands weak or painful.

So if you can improve the design of the joints so they are easy to break apart for folding, stay locked when in use, are robust against wear, and don't need lubrication.