New technology – particularly recent advancements in AI – has led to more accessibility tools being developed, or existing devices becoming more sophisticated. In the case of smart canes, although they can enrich your experience while out and about, it’s important that you keep practicing your traditional orientation and mobility skills (such as white cane skills, recognising sensory cues, and route planning).
There are different types of canes for different needs, but until recently, all cane options were analogue. The smart cane, on the other hand, is an advanced mobility aid for people with vision impairment. The ‘smart’ element of a smart cane means that it uses sonar technology and has internet connectivity – this enables the cane to:
A smart cane offers four main features that can enhance your safety and experience while out and about.
Traditional, analogue canes can only detect ground-level obstacles, whereas the built-in sensors in a smart cane help identify obstacles at chest and head height too. The smart cane alerts the user to these obstacles using haptic or audio feedback, giving them a new dimension of awareness while walking.
“I really like the WeWalk cane obstacle detection. It's really useful in detecting low hanging branches above me, which, for any long cane user, is the main gripe we still have.”
When paired with a smartphone app, a smart cane uses GPS to support with navigation and location tracking – this can be especially helpful when users are exploring new areas. Keep in mind that this feature relies on a smartphone and an internet connection or data access.
The cane communicates with the app via Bluetooth connection. The audio feedback is then transmitted through the cane’s speaker or Bluetooth connected headphones (open-ear headphones). The GPS navigation and AI assistance is reliant on using the WeWalk app. When connected, the app functionality can be navigated using the cane’s buttons.
Users can interact with their cane by activating the voice assistant. This can link to the app to provide directions skipping the search options.
The AI can answer other questions and provide general information.
Smart canes have many benefits, including greater peace of mind, confidence, and independence for the user.
Features like more advanced obstacle detection and navigation, along with the extra safety features, might boost the user’s sense of safety when exploring new places.
Turn-by-turn navigation can also be achieved while the users’ phone remains safely in their pocket.
As the user’s trust in their smart cane grows over time, they may feel more confident exploring new places or trying new things on their own.
Thanks to the technology, a smart cane can store your route preferences, and the places you visit the most.
Although there are many benefits to using a smart cane, it’s important to consider their drawbacks before buying one.
If users aren’t used to managing and controlling smart devices, or if they’re new to using a cane altogether, they may require additional training and support to understand the cane and apps.
The battery life of a smart cane depends on the model, but some provide fewer than 8 hours of active use before they need charging again.
Even if they’re not being used, a smart cane may need charging as often as every day, or every other day, so the user needs to keep on top of when they’ll need to use the device and how much charge it has.
The limited battery life could reduce the user’s ability to be spontaneous and highlights the need to maintain good long cane skills, so they’re not prevented from going out if their smart cane isn’t charged.
A smart cane relies on sensors, software, and internet connection, so there’s always the possibility that something could malfunction, or the device could lose connection.
The obstacle detection function is not reliant on internet connection due to the inbuilt sonar technology. However, if the battery runs out, the sonar technology will stop working.
The price of a smart cane is more expensive than a traditional, analogue white cane. For example, you can get a white cane for under £50, but smart canes cost several hundred pounds.
Purchasing a smart cane alone will give the user obstacle detection. Purchasing a subscription model will give the smart cane access to navigation and AI capabilities.
As with any device connected to the internet – or any device containing personal or identifying information – caution must be exercised to keep the user’s data private.
The WeWalk Smart Cane 2 is the most advanced smart cane WeWalk make. The cane combines above-ground obstacle detection, real-time voice navigation, and built in AI support in one design.
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When the smart cane is connected to the WEWALK Navigation & Assistance app, the user has access to an AI assistant. This assistant instantly answers questions and offers local recommendations via built-in voice assistance.
The cane offers AI-powered navigation that delivers step-by-step voice guidance. Additionally, the cane offers information on public transport and destination tracking through a paired app on your smartphone.
The safety features included with the WeWalk Smart Cane 2 are:
The design of the We Walk Smart Cane 2 maintains the feel of a traditional long cane and can be used as one when it isn’t connected, or when the battery runs out.
Access to remote support from a dedicated assistant who can provide support with using the user’s phone camera.
Edited and reviewed Technology Integration Partner Jamie Bruce on 21/08/2026
Guide Dogs is committed to integrating technology into our service delivery and promoting excellence in accessibility and usability. Our staff undergo comprehensive training in technology and accessibility in collaboration with industry leaders like Apple. We foster knowledge of technology and create content through our Technology Champions, comprising Vision Rehabilitation Specialists and Habilitation Specialists. We review this content periodically to ensure that it is up to date and includes new features and changes with operating systems. We work with our partners to ensure accessibility is at the centre of the design. To find out more, there is more information in our accessibility policy.
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