The revolutionary InnoMake shoe was developed by Austrian computer scientists to aid blind individuals in navigating obstacles on foot. The shoes, which cost more than $3,000, were produced in collaboration with Tec-Innovation, an Austrian company, and Graz University of Technology.

A waterproof ultrasonic sensor that can detect obstacles up to 13 feet away is located on the toe of every InnoMake sneaker. The wearer receives vibrations and sounds to warn them when something approaches. The method is comparable to parking sensors found in cars.

Co-founder Markus Raffer of Tec-Innovation’s vision challenged highlighted its efficacy by stating, “This works very well and is already a great help to me personally.”

Every foot has its own sensor, which can be purchased as a whole shoe or as a retrofit option. These sensors can even distinguish between different types of objects, such as cars, stairs, and walls, and can send out personalized notifications.

In order to improve navigation even further, Tec-Innovation intends to improve the design of InnoMake by adding machine learning and camera-based recognition. A “street view navigation map” might be available in later versions to help other users.

“They use camera images from the foot perspective to determine an area that is free of obstacles and thus safe to walk on, and they can recognize and distinguish objects,” said Friedrich Fraundorfer of TU Graz.

With the ability to help visually impaired people navigate their environment more safely and independently, InnoMake has the potential to significantly improve their quality of life.