The WeWALK Smart Cane 2 is an intelligent assistive device empowered by TDK motion sensors, MEMS microphones, and ultrasonic time-of-flight sensors, for highly accurate navigation, voice prompts, and obstacle avoidance.
WeWALK, whose recent accolades include The King's Awards for Enterprise Innovation and Edison Awards 2024, will join the CES Consumer Technology Association's (CTA) Accessibility roundtable on January 6, 2025 in Las Vegas and demonstrate its innovative Smart Cane 2 at the TDK CES booth #15815, January 7-10 and WeWALK CES booth #62035.
At the CTA Accessibility roundtable, WeWALK will unveil its groundbreaking Smart Cane 2, featuring an AI-powered voice assistant. During CES 2025, live demonstrations of this innovative cane will showcase its ability to enhance mobility and independence for visually impaired people, marking a significant leap forward in accessible technology.
The WeWALK Smart Cane 2 integrates multiple sensor solutions by InvenSense, a TDK group company, as well as TDK SMT inductors and RF antennae, showcasing the potential of TDK technology to enable a variety of IoT innovations. Also at the TDK booth, members of the visually impaired community can enter to receive one of eight WeWALK Smart Cane 2 devices, in a giveaway sponsored by TDK.*
"The new AI-powered WeWALK Smart Cane 2 combines insights from our own lived experiences and the visually impaired community with TDK's expertise in advanced sensor technology," said Kursat Ceylan, co-founder of WeWALK. "This collaboration has allowed us to redefine mobility and accessibility, creating a truly empowering tool for visually impaired individuals worldwide."
TDK technology within the WeWALK Smart Cane 2 includes:
InvenSense SmartMotion® 6-axis IMU sensor, enabling Smart Cane 2 users to navigate both indoor and outdoor environments with the accuracy of an integrated gyroscope and accelerometer
InvenSense SmartSound™ microphone sensor, offering an intelligent voice assistant to help Smart Cane 2 users explore wherever they want to go
InvenSense SmartSonic™ ultrasonic time-of-flight sensor, for world-class presence detection and obstacle avoidance, to help ensure nothing gets in the way of safety and mobility
TDK multilayer chip antenna, to send and receive signals in the required frequency
TDK wound metal inductors for power circuits
TDK multilayer ferrite inductors for decoupling circuits
"By using multiple TDK sensors to help create the intelligence of the Smart Cane 2, the WeWALK team shows the vast potential for sensor innovation," said Massimo Mascotto, director of product marketing for InvenSense, a TDK group company. "We believe WeWALK inspires other engineers to use TDK sensors in creating products that improve lives."
About WeWALK:
Founded in 2019, WeWALK is a UK-based startup with a mission to enhance the mobility of visually impaired people. It leverages cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence to provide innovative solutions, such as the smart cane. WeWALK's technologies enable blind and visually impaired people to enjoy greater mobility, safety, and independence.
About TDK Corporation:
TDK Corporation is a world leader in electronic solutions for the smart society based in Tokyo, Japan. Built on a foundation of material sciences mastery, TDK welcomes societal transformation by resolutely remaining at the forefront of technological evolution and deliberately "Attracting Tomorrow." It was established in 1935 to commercialize ferrite, a key material in electronic and magnetic products. TDK's comprehensive, innovation-driven portfolio features passive components such as ceramic, aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors, as well as magnetics, high-frequency, and piezo and protection devices. The product spectrum also includes sensors and sensor systems such as temperature and pressure, magnetic, and MEMS sensors. In addition, TDK provides power supplies and energy devices, magnetic heads and more. These products are marketed under the product brands TDK, EPCOS, InvenSense, Micronas, Tronics and TDK-Lambda. TDK focuses on demanding markets in automotive, industrial and consumer electronics, and information and communication technology. The company has a network of design and manufacturing locations and sales offices in Asia, Europe, and in North and South America. In fiscal 2024, TDK posted total sales of USD 14.6 billion and employed about 101,000 people worldwide.
