White canes help blind people avoid obstacles on the ground and up to waist-high. However, conventional canes cannot help the blind avoid objects in their path that are above the waist. CES 2023 Healthcare Innovation Awards Honoree Lighthouse Tech showcased the Swiss company’s LTH01 smart glasses frame. The frames promise to protect people who have visual impairments or spatial perception disorders from the danger of obstacles above the waist.
LTH01 glasses frames have front-facing sensors that detect obstacle location and distance. Threat algorithms control haptic feedback to alert users of imminent danger. The frames vibrate to warn users in time to avoid collisions, according to Lighthouse Tech. Users can also wear auxiliary haptic devices on their wrists or other locations on their bodies to lessen the chance of missing obstacle alerts.
In addition to the LTH01 frames, Lighthouse Tech developed a modular series of sensors and electronics that third-party fashion eyewear designers can incorporate into their collections.
Lighthouse Tech’s above-the-waist obstacle detection and alert eyewear systems are noteworthy for helping the blind and vision-impaired maintain their independence, mobility, and safety.
