No, it's really not a good idea, and it's been shot down every time namely due to:

* High and inaccessible cost

* Fragile electronics being put into something meant to be bashed around

* Lack of weatherproofing for rain, snow, or extreme heat, general outdoor conditions.

* One more thing to charge and bring with us along with our phones, headsets, and other devices we already use that accomplish the exact same thing the cane sets out to do

* Expensive to fix and replace when it inevitably gets broken; need to repeat this one since it's pretty important

* Haptics can be confusing when attempting to negotiate tactile feedback coming from the cane tip; vibration or sound can get distracting when negotiating busy or difficult environments

* Again, we have phones, portable GPS units, and a variety of wired and wireless earbuds and headsets that we can already use for navigation with a standard white cane.

So-called "smart" canes are a really dumb idea when you put them through their paces compared to actual canes and O&M techniques.

Microsoft soundscape is an app worth checking out too

There kind of is, the WeWalk does this to a point.


You put in where you'd like to go and it guides you using google maps, I've not tested it though so can't give you any thoughts on what I think of it.

There is a device that’s being developed like it! It lets you know if you’re getting off the route and let’s you know if you’re walking crooked!

There are devices like this I believe.

U/BobSlugRoss wasn’t sure if you might be interested in this conversation.
Edit: OK, it’s clear I don’t know how to tag another user. Help, anyone?

Edit 2: /u/BobSlugRoss