Simon Wheatcroft, a 35-year-old blind athlete from the United States, is on the verge of making history by becoming the first visually impaired runner to complete a marathon without any assistance. This milestone is made possible through the innovative wearable navigation technology developed by the startup WearWorks. With over 1.5 billion people worldwide experiencing vision loss or blindness, many face significant challenges in mobility and daily life. Most visually impaired individuals struggle with independence, often relying on others for guidance.
Wheatcroft has already achieved remarkable feats, including finishing the 2016 Boston and New York Marathons. However, these accomplishments were made with the help of a guide. Now, he’s turning to advanced tech solutions to achieve full independence. In May 2016, during the Namibian Desert Marathon, he used a device called eAscot, developed by IBM engineers. It provided audio cues to keep him on course. While eAscot was a promising concept, it had limitations—like assuming no obstacles were present, which led to an incident where he collided with an unmarked flagpole.
Current technologies like Google Glass and Aira offer some support, but they come with high costs and limited accessibility. Microsoft's Seeing Eye app uses phone cameras and AI for navigation, but its effectiveness is restricted by the need for constant connectivity and power. Despite these tools, traditional aids like guide dogs and canes remain essential for many.
Wheatcroft believes that true breakthroughs in navigation technology for the visually impaired must be both affordable and practical. He’s increasingly focused on haptic technology, which uses touch to communicate directions. A haptic device could respond to voice commands, use GPS, and guide users through tactile feedback on the skin. Combining this with other sensors could enhance safety and accuracy.
In partnership with WearWorks, Wheatcroft helped develop the Wayband—a wearable haptic device that pairs with a smartphone. It provides vibration-based cues to guide the user. For example, two taps mean a right turn, while four taps signal a left. While Wayband helps navigate streets, it still struggles with small obstacles or sudden changes in terrain. To address this, Wheatcroft is working on integrating an ultrasonic device called “Turtle,†a small plastic unit that detects nearby objects using sound waves and vibrates when something is close.
During the New York Marathon, Wheatcroft also tested a larger version of the Turtle device. Although the project showed promise, technical issues arose—rain disrupted the Turtle’s function, and the Wayband had poor signal reception. The team realized that data volume and track conditions were major challenges. Looking ahead, WearWorks plans to refine their software algorithms, improve hardware durability, and enhance GPS accuracy. They believe that by 2018, smartphone GPS chips will offer precision within about one foot, greatly improving the system’s performance.
The future of independent navigation for the visually impaired is bright, and Wheatcroft is at the forefront of this revolution.
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